To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of whether the recommendation that applicants to the COVID-19 Restrictions Business Support Scheme provide a form completed by a registered accountant, will disadvantage small businesses unable to pay for this service.

Applicants to the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme may supply a template completed by a registered accountant in order to independently verify the eligibility criteria. Although not mandatory, this may strengthen an application and quicken the verification process. However, it is only a recommendation and, where necessary, applicants will be contacted if additional information is required to confirm eligibility.

It is acknowledged that many businesses are facing hardship at present and may may incur a cost to provide a completed template. However, this option allows the application process to be streamlined and for much needed payments to be made to businesses more quickly.