Local businesses urged to apply for Power Up Grant worth €4,000 in tax free cash

Local businesses involved in retail and hospitality can now register for the newly launched Power Up Grant worth €4,000.

The Power Up Grant is aimed at supporting small local cafés, restaurants, pubs and retailers with a tax free cash payment of €4,000 directly into their bank account.

Any businesses availing of the grant should receive the money before Christmas. 

The grant was announced as part of Budget 2025 and has launched this week.

Minister Martin Heydon, TD for Kildare South, has called on eligible businesses in Kildare to apply for the grant as the portal for registrations is now open.

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He said: "The scheme is a €170 million fund secured in the budget and administered by Kildare County Council, who are now emailing all eligible businesses with details on how to register.

"All businesses in Kildare who received the Increased Cost of Business Grant second round earlier this year are eligible – namely all businesses involved in retail and hospitality in Kildare who have rates bills under €30,000.  Fine Gael are targeting our small hospitality and retail SMEs with this support, as we know they face the highest increase in costs, in areas such as electricity."

The Fine Gael TD has reminded businesses that the registration portal will be open for two weeks and so it is important to check their emails without further delay.

Minister Heydon said: "Along with Taoiseach Simon Harris, I continue to engage with businesses up and down this country, and currently we are working on proposals for our manifesto which seek to address some of the issues being raised with us.

"The Power Up grant will be paid directly into a business’s bank account, and the registration process was specifically designed to be quick and straightforward. Our small family-run businesses in retail and hospitality play a crucial role in our towns and villages across the country, and I urge eligible businesses to register and avail of this grant."