money money money

[john m]

Sole traders and tradesmen affected by Covid-19 can avail of a new €1,000 one-off grant for related expenses.

The funding - which has been dubbed the 'white-van man' grant - will be available to self-employed workers and small business owners.

The grant is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and taxi drivers who are trying to return to work after the coronavirus lockdown.

It is a new support for self-employed businesses that are not eligible for other Covid-19 Government grants.

The money is available to business owners who employ fewer than 10 people, are not liable for commercial rates and have an annual turnover of less than €1m.

It will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by a business seeking to get back to work and cover all costs up to €1,000.

The funding can be used to pay for salaries, fuel, new equipment, signage or personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Enterprise Support Grant previously provided support for entrepreneurs to set up new enterprises.

But it has now been reconfigured to specifically provide one-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the pandemic.

The grant will be paid to anyone who was on the pandemic unemployment payment during the early stages of the Covid-19 emergency but are now returning to work.

Funding for the scheme was secured by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys during negotiations on the July Jobs Stimulus package.


It is among a range of government initiatives and funding aimed at getting people back to work after months of coronavirus restrictions closed down the country and forced thousands of businesses to close.

The self-employed and sole-trader sector was among the worst impacted by the national quarantine.

Ms Humphreys said the self-employed "are crucial to our economic recovery" and said the grant will help them "get back on their feet".

"Thousands of sole traders and small business owners right across the country have in recent months been in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

"For many, this was the first time they ever had to apply for State support," Ms Humphreys said.

"In the past, the Enterprise Support Grant was designed to assist people in opening a business.

"Today, I'm opening applications to people who need assistance in getting back on their feet and their businesses back up and running.

"Whether it's paying wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE and signage - this is an important grant so if you're a plumber, carpenter or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road, this grant may be of interest."

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/grant-worth-1000-to-support-white-van-man-39448883.html

[john m]

In the taxi-waiting area at Dublin Airport on a recent Sunday morning drivers were playing cards, reading newspapers and walking lengths of the bay for exercise until called up to the rank at Terminal 1 for a fare.

Taxi drivers countrywide have reported slow business. Even though the most severe coronavirus restrictions have lifted in most counties, the closure of pubs, tourism, events and working from home means business has declined.

The average waiting time between fares is two to three hours, according to the drivers; but it can be longer. In the city centre the time between fares is at least an hour, they added.

Colm O’Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare.

“I arrived here one day last week at 6pm, I had a zoom meeting at 8pm and I was still here for it. I was still here until 10:55pm and eventually got a job at 11:05pm,” he said. “Now that is unusual on that end, the average is normally three hours.”

Declan Peelo said his income has been reduced to between 30 and 50 per cent of pre-Covid takings, depending on the day.

“The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in, that’s just not true. It’s all either Irish people who live abroad coming home, or foreign workers who were stuck somewhere else coming back.”

Taxi drivers fear 20% will be out of business within year

Coronavirus: We must save lives but we also need to live
If the airport is so quiet, has he considered going elsewhere to get work?

“The city centre is the exact same,” he explained. “Instead of trying to decide where I’m going to work, now I’m basically just deciding where I’m going to park. I get maybe three jobs a day now. Before Covid, I could get seven or eight.”

There are 26,371 valid taxi licences registered with the National Transport Authority. A spokesman said about 55 per cent of the suspended licences have been reactivated. He added that this figure “aligns” with anecdotal information suggesting which business is 30 to 50 per cent of normal.


Declan Peelo: ‘The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in, that’s just not true.’ Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Declan Peelo: ‘The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in, that’s just not true.’ Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Colm O’ Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Colm O’ Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
“However late night and weekend business, trips to and from airports and business around major public events and tourism remains vastly reduced,” he added.

Jim Waldron, a spokesman for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, which represents some 5,000 drivers, said the income for taxis has been massively reduced and some drivers are now working around the clock to make enough money.

“What’s happening is the guys are working a 12-hour day instead of eight to try and get a full daily income. In 12 hours, they’re still not earning what they got in the eight hours,” according to Mr Waldron.

“At the moment, fellas are probably earning about €6 an hour. There would be exceptions, depending on what jobs you get. I’m aware of fellas being out there working 24-hour shifts, on the basis that they had to get money.”

The rank at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
The rank at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
On the rank: Joe Fagan (left) and Joe Mulholland. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
On the rank: Joe Fagan (left) and Joe Mulholland. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Joe Fagan, who has been a taxi driver for 35 years, said the industry has never been in such a bad situation. Joe Mulholland said the costs were beginning to build up for him, putting him under pressure.

“I still have to pay my insurance, my licence, my NCT, my suitability test. I just installed a screen for €250 that I won’t get back. So the costs are the same, but I don’t have the business coming in.”

Stephen Kearns (30) decided to stop driving after almost eight years in the industry because he was not making enough money. He is now in the process of setting up his own landscaping business.


“I had to leave the business. I have a family to support. You could be doing a 10-hour shift and getting €100 but by the time you take your expenses out of it, you’re getting €5 an hour,” he said.

“Luckily I had another skill. I’m a a qualified bricklayer so now I’m in the early stages of setting up a landscaping business. I’ve work booked for the next six weeks. I really enjoyed it [taxi driving] but it had to be done. It wasn’t feasible.”

[john m]

CAN YOU IMAGINE AN INDUSTRY REP MAKING SUCH A FUCKING STUPID STATEMENT .Time to chip the meter to stop this unsafe practice ..“At the moment, fellas are probably earning about €6 an hour. There would be exceptions, depending on what jobs you get. I’m aware of fellas being out there working 24-hour shifts, on the basis that they had to get money.”

[mercenary for hire]

There's no way yer man represents 5000 drivers is there?Maybe they meant 500.

[Horse]

I thought there was drivers out there saying they're doing OK and its busy enough.  Not to mention some of the licky lackys who manage to stay on gold status week after week,  which equates to at least 10 jobs a day for a 6 day week.  I was half thinking of going back soon myself but after reading that I have changed my mind. I'd rather be bored at home getting my 350 with no taxi overheads to pay than to be bored sitting on ranks, driving aimlessly around with overheads to pay and getting stressed being on €6 an hour. Fook that, I'll sit it out for a bit longer.

[mercenary for hire]

Taxi insurance on it's own costs minimum of 50 a week.Plus at least 50 and upwards for fuel.

Forgetting about licencing costs and wear and tear you'd need to earn €517.50 (including freenow commissions) and upwards before you are better off.It doesn't make sense for the lads who don't need much to return yet.

Even if they get cut to 250 September 17 they need to earn at LEAST €402.50 to be better off.

I know which one I'll be choosing.

[Theoneandonly]

Taxi drivers are professional moaners, Keshies are the elite moaners and Jim is the leader of that pack, thought he'd be in better form with LFC winning the league though.

I have vat receipts for my original screen, masks and signage, got the car serviced but I doubt that'll be allowed

[Theoneandonly]

Taxi insurance on it's own costs minimum of 50 a week.Plus at least 50 and upwards for fuel.

Forgetting about licencing costs and wear and tear you'd need to earn €517.50 (including freenow commissions) and upwards before you are better off.It doesn't make sense for the lads who don't need much to return yet.

Even if they get cut to 250 September 17 they need to earn at LEAST €402.50 to be better off.

I know which one I'll be choosing.

Come up with some illness and you could be on benefits for the rest of your life ... quids in! sounds like the life you want?

[mercenary for hire]

^^^Ah no, Roy long term illness benefit is tempting.I'll be back.. just not until it's more..eh feasible. I'm getting bored.

[watty]

Enterprise Support Grant for businesses impacted by COVID-19 (14 Aug)

- This will provide business owners with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Rate of Payment
Funding will be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000.
Grants will be awarded on costs related to reopening your business, including:

- safety measures
- business advice or mentoring
- repairs
- fuel
- wages
Normal business costs are not generally included.

Form (PDF) = https://assets.gov.ie/84228/5f1a81b7-5bf6-479f-8b9d-500b1a5abf16.pdf

[watty]

Is the grant taxable?  Would you have to add it on to your income at the end of the year?

[watty]

From the pdf application form:

Eligible Costs
Eligible costs must be related to the restart of your business (net of VAT for VAT registered businesses). Costs incurred since 13 March can be included in your application. Examples of eligible costs include:
• Capital costs incurred for the purchase of equipment including signage and personal protective equipment;
• Repairs, maintenance and installation of safety measures;
• Business training, mentoring and coaching;
• Advertising and marketing;
• Salaries (accompanied by payslips where the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme is not payable);
• Vehicle running costs including fuel;
• Accountancy and related services, and legal advice; and
• Public liability and indemnity insurance costs.

Business consumables directly related to trading will not generally be accepted.

Eligible = Vehicle running costs including fuel;
Not Eligible = Business consumables directly related to trading will not generally be accepted.

Wonder what that means for us?

[john m]

NOT ONE OF YOU COMMENTED ON HIS COMMENT .A SO CALLED INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE STATED DRIVERS ARE WORKING BEYOND THE LEGAL LIMITS .IN SOME CASES HE STATED TO A NATIONAL NEWSPAPER THAT ..(At the moment, fellas are probably earning about €6 an hour. There would be exceptions, depending on what jobs you get. I’m aware of fellas being out there working 24-hour shifts, on the basis that they had to get money.”)24  HOUR SHIFTS  I wonder if he reported this dangerous practice to either the Gards or the taxithingey .Im sure Minister Ryan who would like to see taxis reduced will consider introducing chips for your meter to prevent you continuing to accept fares after you are on duty for 11 hours ,A sort of tachograph like they have in France .

[Golfer14]

Very easy to do -i remember talking to a renter one day ,he was driving a rental  heap from Skan  .Said he must pay his freight before 5 pm on a friday evening or the meter shuds down ..

[Shallowhal]

There are 26,371 valid taxi licences registered with the National Transport Authority. A spokesman said about 55 per cent of the suspended licences have been reactivated. He added that this figure “aligns” with anecdotal information suggesting which business is 30 to 50 per cent of normal.


The NTA failed to mention that licence holders were forced to reactivate their licences,i know i wouldn't have reactivated mine had they extended the suspension period.