To ask the Minister for the Economy to provide her Department’s assessment of the number of social enterprises registered as charities, broken down by constituency, that, thus far, have been excluded from COVID-19 Business Support Schemes.

The number of applications from social enterprises registered as charities that have been excluded from the £10,000 or £25,000 Business Support Grant Schemes cannot be provided as the information was not captured in the application process and therefore is not held by the Department.

The status of a business as a social enterprise was not part of the eligibility criteria for either scheme. Eligibility for the £10,000 Small Business Support Grant scheme included the business receiving Small Business Rate Relief or Industrial derating, subject to exclusions, and having a Total Net Annual Value (NAV) of £15,000 or less. For the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant scheme, eligibility was based on the business operating in one of the four eligible sectors, subject to exclusions, as well as having a Total NAV of between £15,001 and £51,000.

It is acknowledged that social enterprises, if receiving Charitable Exemption for rates, would not be able to apply for the £10,000 Small Business Support Grant scheme, and, if they have charitable status, will not qualify for the NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund. Eligibility for the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant scheme would depend on the sector the social enterprise operates within and the Total NAV.

The Department for Communities has announced a £15.5 million fund for charities which is aimed at providing support to all charities who are facing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.