COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORTS - BVP Investments
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COVID-19
FINANCIAL SUPPORTS
Action! We’d like to hear how your business is dealing with COVID-19. Reading this document
shows you are being proactive. We’d love to hear your story and how successful you are with
financing applications or if there are any other supports we should know about. Please email me
Mark Ruane at mruane@bvp.ie.
LAST UPDATED 30 MARCH 2020
BVP InvestmentsContents
Working Capital Supports ....................................................................................................................... 3
€200m Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Working Capital Scheme ............................ 3
Future Growth Loan Scheme .............................................................................................................. 3
The Credit Guarantee Scheme ............................................................................................................ 4
Brexit Loan Scheme............................................................................................................................. 5
€200m Package for Enterprise Supports including a Rescue and Restructuring Scheme .................. 5
Finance in Focus .................................................................................................................................. 6
Micro finance Ireland .......................................................................................................................... 6
Revenue – Phased Payment Facilities ................................................................................................. 6
LEO Supports ....................................................................................................................................... 7
European Globalisation Fund .............................................................................................................. 7
LEO Priming Grants ............................................................................................................................. 8
LEO Business Expansion Grants .......................................................................................................... 8
LEO Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grants ....................................................................... 8
Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) ................................................................................................ 8
Wage Supports ........................................................................................................................................ 9
National Covid-19 Income Support Scheme ....................................................................................... 9
Short Time Work Support ................................................................................................................... 9
COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment ................................................................................ 10
Enterprise Ireland Key Manager / Part Time Key Manager Support ................................................ 10
Research, Development and Innovation Funding................................................................................. 10
EIC Accelerator - Applications welcome from startups and SMEs with innovative solutions to tackle
Coronavirus outbreak ....................................................................................................................... 10
Agile Innovation Fund ....................................................................................................................... 10
LEO Feasibility Study Grants ............................................................................................................. 11
Be Prepared Grant ............................................................................................................................ 11
The Business Process Improvement Grant ....................................................................................... 11
Brexit Supports for your Small Business ........................................................................................... 11
Operational Excellence Offer ............................................................................................................ 12
Local Enterprise Offices Vouchers .................................................................................................... 12
Further information, advice and webinars ........................................................................................... 12
EI Virtual Mentoring Support: ........................................................................................................... 13
Other Actions ........................................................................................................................................ 13
Check your Insurance Cover ............................................................................................................. 13
Electricity and Heating: ..................................................................................................................... 13
Page 1 of 16The Utilities realise that cashflows are tight for companies presently. Contact them early to get a
payment plan in place to ensure you have ....................................................................................... 13
Rent ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Commercial Rates ............................................................................................................................. 13
Banking.............................................................................................................................................. 14
Bank Of Ireland ............................................................................................................................. 14
AIB ................................................................................................................................................. 14
Ulsterbank ..................................................................................................................................... 14
CRO.................................................................................................................................................... 15
Page 2 of 16Working Capital Supports
€200m Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Working Capital Scheme – Working
Capital Loans from Banks backed by Government Guarantees
The loans will be available through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. Approval of loans are
subject to the banks own credit policies and procedures. It should be noted that businesses cannot
complete a loan application until they have received their eligibility letter from the SBCI.
Loan features
• Loan amounts of between €25,000 to €1.5m per eligible enterprise (see the State Aid section
below for further details).
• Maximum interest rate of 4%.
• Loan terms ranging from 1 year to 3 years.
• Loans unsecured up to €500,000.
• Optional interest-only repayments may be available at the start of the loans.
• The loan amount and term is dependent on the loan purpose.
• Available from 23rd March 2020
Who can apply
Viable micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and Small MidCap enterprises that meet
the eligibility criteria.
SMEs are defined by the Standard EU definition [Commission Regulation 2003/361/EC] as
enterprises that:
• Have fewer than 250 employees
• Have a turnover of €50 million or less (or €43 million or less on their balance sheet)
• Are independent and autonomous i.e. not part of a wider group of enterprises
• Have less than 25% of their capital held by public bodies
• Is established and operating in the Republic of Ireland
• A Small Mid-Cap is an enterprise that is not an SME but has fewer than 500 employees
Link to Online Application Form
Future Growth Loan Scheme
SME and Small Midcap Applicants not involved in primary agriculture
Loan Features
• Loan amounts from €100,000 to a maximum of €3,000,000 per applicant
• Initial maximum loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans < €250,000 and 3.5% for loans >=
€250,000. Variable interest rates are subject to change
• Loan terms ranging from 8 to 10 years
• Unsecured loans up to €500,000
• Optional interest-only repayments available in certain circumstances
Page 3 of 16An “Applicant” is an SME or small Mid-Cap that applies for a loan under the FGLS. Applicants for
loans greater than €250,000 must submit a business plan to the relevant Financial Institution.
Loan Purpose
Loans can be used for long term investment. Please see example case studies here
Applicants must choose one of the below loan purposes:
• Investment in Machinery or Equipment
• Investment in Research and Development
• Investment in Business Expansion
• Investment in Premises Improvement
• Investment in Process Innovation
• Investment in People and/or Systems
Summary of Excluded Activities
• Finance of specific export operations, or finance contingent upon the use of domestic over
imported products. In particular, it should not apply to financing the establishment and
operation of a distribution network in other States, or current expenditure linked to the
export activity.
• Finance of pure real estate development activity
• Finance of activities constituting pure financial transactions (e.g. purchase of shares)
• Loans to undertakings in difficulty
• Finance of activities forbidden by national or EU law
• Primary Agriculture (see specific SBCI FGLS agriculture loan product)
• Refinance to reschedule existing loan or completed project
• Aid for the acquisition of road freight transport vehicles by undertakings performing road
freight transport for hire or reward
• Please refer to this link for comprehensive detail on specific exclusions
Link to Online Application Form
The Credit Guarantee Scheme
The Credit Guarantee Scheme is a government supported product from the banks for small and
medium businesses who have difficulty borrowing from their bank. Businesses can apply for loans of
up to €1 million at AIB, Bank of Ireland or Ulster Bank. Loans can be for terms of up to 7 years. The
scheme provides an 80% guarantee to participating banks which are AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster
Bank.
Key Features of the Scheme:
• Facilities of €10,000 up to €1m
Page 4 of 16• Terms of up to 7 years
• Term Loans, Demand Loans and Performance Bonds
How much does the scheme cost?
• The scheme allows for a maximum of a 2% annual premium to the Government in addition
to the interest rate/fee charged by the participating bank.
• As of 14th July 2019, the Premium Rate charged has been reduced from the current rate of
1% down to 0.5% for a period of 12 months.
How to apply do for the scheme
The scheme is available through participating lenders AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank
AIB
Bank of Ireland
Ulster Bank
Brexit Loan Scheme
The SBCI Brexit Loan Scheme is offered in partnership with the Department of Business Enterprise
and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and is supported by the
InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon
2020 Financial Instruments.
The loans are available through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. Approval of loans are subject to
the banks own credit policies and procedures.
Loan features
• Loan amounts of between €25,000 to €1.5m per eligible enterprise (see the State Aid section
below for further details).
• Maximum interest rate of 4%.
• Loan terms ranging from 1 year to 3 years.
• Unsecured loans up to €500,000.
• Optional interest-only repayments may be available at the start of the loans.
• The loan amount and term is dependent on the loan purpose.
€200m Package for Enterprise Supports including a Rescue and Restructuring Scheme
Available through Enterprise Ireland for viable but vulnerable firms that need to restructure or
transform their businesses, details of these supports are being finalised.
Page 5 of 16Finance in Focus – Brexit support
The Finance in Focus grant offers Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients funding of up
to €7,200 to cover third party consultant’s fees. The grant supports the development of a Financial
and business plan that identifies funding needs and potential sources of funding is delivered at no
cost to the company.
Micro finance Ireland
The maximum loan available from Micro Finance Ireland will be increased from €25,000 to €50,000
as an immediate measure to specifically deal with exceptional circumstances that micro-enterprises
are facing.
Terms
• Loans from €5,000 – €50,000
• Supports businesses who have been impacted negatively by coronovirus in Ireland
• Loan terms typically up to 3 years
• First 6 months – Interest & Repayment free
• No fees/no hidden costs/charges
• https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages/covid19/ 2/3
• Fixed repayments/no penalty for early repayment
Eligibility
• Any business (Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company)
• with less than 10 employees and annual turnover of up to €2m
• Not in a position to avail of finance from Banks and other commercial lending providers
• 15% of actual or projected turnover or profit is negatively impacted by COVID-19
Linked Finance Peer to Peer Lending
• Same-day credit decision.
• You can borrow up to €300K.
• No early repayment penalties.
• A friendly, no-hassle approach.
• Promote your business.
• Win new customers as part of the process.
Link to Application Form
They have also introduced a new type of loan called the Deferred Start Loan, which offers fast access
to essential working capital, with the reassurance of 3 months payment-free.
For more information on the Deferred Start Loan, request a call-back from the finance team.
Revenue – Phased Payment Facilities
Revenue will assist in dealing with tax payment difficulties by agreeing to Phased Payment
Arrangements in appropriate cases. Talk to the Revenue now, and if necessary, ask for an Online
Phased Payment Facility: .
Page 6 of 16Information for SMEs
• Tax Returns: businesses experiencing temporary cash flow difficulties should continue to
send in tax returns on time.
• Application of Interest: the application of interest on late payments is suspended
for January/February VAT and both February and March PAYE (Employers) liabilities.
• Debt Enforcement: All debt enforcement activity is suspended until further notice.
• Tax Clearance: current tax clearance status will remain in place for all businesses over
the coming months.
Information for Subcontractors
• RCT (Relevant Contract Tax): the RCT rate review scheduled to take place in March 2020 is
suspended. This process assesses the current compliance position of each subcontractor in
the eRCT system and determines their correct RCT deduction rate, i.e. 0%, 20% or 35%. As
this process may result in a subcontractor’s RCT rate increasing due to changes in their
compliance position, the review is suspended.
• Subcontractors and agents are reminded that RCT rate reviews can be self-managed in ROS.
Subcontractors can check if their rate should be lower and can then ‘self-review’ to get that
lower deduction rate.
Information on importing goods
• Customs: critical pharmaceutical products and medicines will be given a Customs ‘green
routing’ to facilitate uninterrupted importation and supply.
Businesses, other than SMEs, who are experiencing temporary cash flow or trading difficulties
should contact the Collector-General’s office on (01) 7383663. Alternatively, these businesses can
engage directly with their branch contacts in Revenue’s Large Corporates Division or Medium
Enterprises Division.
Revenue will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation regarding COVID-19 and will issue
further updated guidance for businesses when required and particularly in good time before the
March/April VAT returns, and other future returns are due.
LEO Supports
Additional financial supports are available locally through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices
European Globalisation Fund
EGF is to be used when there is a large number of redundancies (500 or more) within a single
enterprise or within the same economic sector caused by the effects of globalisation or resulting
from the global economic and financial crisis. Where the minimum threshold of 500 redundancies
has not been met, EGF applications may be considered where there is deemed to be sufficient
strategic importance of the affected enterprise or economic sector to the national, local or regional
Page 7 of 16economy and where exceptional economic circumstances pertain. In the event of an EGF, the Local
Enterprise Offices manage the associated enterprise related supports.
LEO Priming Grants
A priming grant is a business start-up grant and is available to micro enterprises within the first 18
months of start-up. The maximum priming grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or
€150,000, whichever is the lesser.
LEO Business Expansion Grants
The Business Expansion Grant is designed to assist a business in its growth phase after the initial 18
months start-up period. The maximum business expansion grant payable shall be 50% of the
investment or €150,000, whichever is the lesser.
LEO Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grants
The Technical Assistance for Micro Exporter’s (TAME) grant is a support to enable clients to take the
first steps in new product service development or in developing and exploring new market
opportunities
Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI)
HBFI has access to a loan facility of up to €730m which will be capable of delivering up to 7,500 new
homes (assuming a 5 year horizon). From the launch date of 28 January 2019 to end June 2019 €41m
of funding has been approved by HBFI in various locations across the country.
Eligible builders/developers can apply to HBFI by completing the ‘Expression of Interest’ form on the
HBFI website www.hbfi.ie.
Action! We’d like to hear how your business is dealing with COVID-19. Reading this document
shows you are being proactive. We’d love to hear your story and how successful you are with
financing applications or if there are any other supports we should know about. Please email me
Mark Ruane at mruane@bvp.ie.
Page 8 of 16Wage Supports
National Covid-19 Income Support Scheme
In summary:
• A Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme of 70% of take home pay up to a maximum weekly tax
free amount of €410 per week to help affected companies keep paying their employees; (i.e.
70% of take home weekly income of €38,000 per annum). This is the equivalent of €500 per
week before tax
• The scheme will provide support on incomes up to €76,000 or twice average earnings. It will
be capped at net €350 for incomes between €38,000 and €76,000.
• Workers who have lost their jobs due to the crisis will receive an enhanced emergency
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week (an increase from €203);
• The Covid-19 illness payment will also be increased to €350 per week;
• Self-Employed will be eligible for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350
directly from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (rather than the
Revenue scheme);
• Enhanced protections for people facing difficulties with their mortgages, rent or utility bills;
• Employers must self-declare to Revenue that they have experienced significant negative
economic disruption due to Covid-19, with a minimum of 25% decline in turnover, and an
inability to pay normal wages and other outgoings, in accordance with guidance to be issued
by Revenue.
• deferral of Business Rates: the Government has agreed with local authorities that they
should defer rates payments due from the most immediately affected businesses, primarily
in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors, until the end of May.
• The Government is introducing legislation to prevent both the termination of residential
tenancies and any rent increases for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis.
• The banks have also said they will support buy-to-let bank customers with tenants affected
by COVID 19 with an opportunity to seek a payment break of up to three months – so they
can in turn offer forbearance to their tenants.
• Rent Supplement is also available as a short-term income support to those in the private
rented sector who are experiencing difficulty paying their rent. In view of the difficulties
created for many in the private rented sector who have lost significant employment income,
the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will use the full flexibility of the
scheme to provide the necessary support
Short Time Work Support – Subsidised Wages for reduced hours due to COVID
Available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and is an income
support payment for employees who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week, due
to business challenges affecting their employment. It is intended to help employers during periods of
temporary difficulty, without resorting to permanent layoffs. Employer and employee application
forms and more detail can be found at www.gov.ie/stws. Employees can also apply for Short-time
Work Support at their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Page 9 of 16COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
From the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will be available to all employees
and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enterprise Ireland Key Manager / Part Time Key Manager Support
The aim of this initiative is to provide partial funding towards the cost of recruiting a Full Time or
Part Time Key Manager with skills that are critical to the future growth of the client. This individual
must contribute to significant and measurable improvements in company productivity and/or
changes in its output to meet de�ned market requirements. The Part Time Key Manager grant has
been introduced in order to support companies to attract senior leadership talent by offering more
flexible working arrangements.
Research, Development and Innovation Funding
EIC Accelerator - Applications welcome from startups and SMEs with innovative solutions
to tackle Coronavirus outbreak
Deadline passed - Friday 20th March (may extend again/worth submitting an email to)
The European Commission is calling for startups and SMEs with technologies and innovations that
could help in treating, testing, monitoring or other aspects of the Coronavirus outbreak to apply
urgently to the next round of funding from the European Innovation Council. The deadline for
applications to the EIC Accelerator is 17:00 on Friday 20 March (New deadline) (Brussels local time).
With a budget of €164m, this call is “bottom up”, meaning there are no predefined thematic
priorities and applicants with Coronavirus relevant innovations will be evaluated in the same way as
other applicants. Nevertheless, the Commission will look to fast track the awarding of EIC grants and
blended finance (combining grant and equity investment) to Coronavirus relevant innovations, as
well as to facilitate access to other funding and investment sources.
The EIC is already supporting a number of startups and SMEs with Coronavirus relevant innovations,
awarded funding in previous rounds. This includes the EpiShuttle project for specialised isolation
units and the m-TAP project for filtration technology to remove viral.
Agile Innovation Fund
The Agile Innovation Fund has been developed to support product, service and process innovation to
build competitive advantage. The new Agile Innovation Fund allows companies to access up to 50%
in support towards innovation projects with a total cost of up to €300,000 and can also be availed of
by Local Enterprise Office clients.
Page 10 of 16LEO Feasibility Study Grants – available through Local Enterprise offices
Feasibility Study Grants are designed to assist promoters with researching market demand for a
product or service and examining its sustainability. It includes assistance with innovation, hiring of
expertise from third level colleges, private specialists, design and prototype development. The
maximum Feasibility Study Grant payable is between 50% - 60%, of the investment depending on
the region - or €15,000 whichever is the lesser.
Be Prepared Grant - Brexit Grant
The Be Prepared Grant is designed for Enterprise Ireland clients who would benefit from further
research and external expertise in examining their exposure to Covid-19 and exploring ways of
addressing this. The grant, which offers up to €5,000 or 50% of the total cost in financial support, can
be used to help cover consultancy, travel and expenses for both domestic and international
employee travel.
The grant is intended to provide strategic support to clients to use internal resources or a third-party
consultant to undertake a short project to determine how the company could respond to Covid-19.
The Business Process Improvement Grant
The Business Process Improvement Grant is used to support short to medium term company
projects that improve efficiencies and business process improvements. Specific E-marketing support
is available through this grant to develop and enhance your company's capability to use the internet
as an effective channel for business development. Further information can be found here or by
contacting ebusiness@enterprise-ireland.com
Brexit Supports for your Small Business
LEO Hub set up for Brexit that may be useful in the current financial crisis. Contains the following
information and supports:
• Scorecards and checklists to help with planning
• One-to-one mentoring
• Customs Training
• Financial supports
• Access to worldwide support networks
• Simple steps to prepare & protect your small business for Brexit
• Dedicated Brexit events
• Practical Steps to getting your Business Brexit Ready
Page 11 of 16Operational Excellence Offer
The new Operational Excellence Offer enables Irish companies trading internationally to develop or
transform their wider business in order to compete more effectively. The offer allows eligible
companies to access financial support for business or operational change projects. The goal is to
incentivise and support the key elements of a larger transformation project leading to significantly
increased competitiveness.
What expenditures are supported:
Enterprise Ireland’s Operational Excellence Offer supports the redesign of your business model to
increase competitiveness in order to enhance your market positioning and achieve growth in new
markets and industries. The Offer supports new investment as follows:
Categories Grant Rates Expenditure Items
New/Second Hand Equip, Computers/Software
Capital Assets 10%-30%
Licenses
50% (of €300k Salaries, Overheads, Travel & Subsistence,
Business Innovation
max. expenditure) Consultancy, Certification Testing, Materials
Training & Management External/Internal Trainer Costs, Staff Travel &
50%-70%
Development Subsistence, External Course Fees
Local Enterprise Offices Vouchers
Local Enterprise Offices in every county will be providing Business Continuity Vouchers of €2,500 to
support business continuity preparedness, innovation and productivity. This voucher will cover the
costs for consultancy/mentors in areas such as finance, HR etc. To a maximum of €2,500 at no cost
to the client. The Department is working on the detail of the LEO voucher announced and further
detail will be released on the website and via mailchimp when received.
Further information, advice and webinars
Enterprise Ireland will engage directly with businesses to provide information and practical support.
Over the coming weeks, Enterprise Ireland will be developing an online portal of relevant advice,
articles and webinars which will be accessible here.
Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre offers client companies access to market intelligence in
the form of company, sector, market and country information.
The Market Research Centre can also offer assistance in scoping out information needs and
highlighting resources and many resources can be sent to clients under legal agreements with
providers.
You can access the resources available at the Market Research Centre here and identify report titles
online here
Page 12 of 16Clients are invited to contact the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre via
Enterprise Ireland Business Response – COVID-19 homepage the dedicated MRC email:
market.research@enterprise-ireland.com
EI Virtual Mentoring Support:
Enterprise Ireland’s Mentor Network has a panel of more than 400 highly experienced business
people. These are entrepreneurs, founders and senior executives with international commercial
business development experience. They can o�er practical advice, guidance and support at this time.
Other Actions
Check your Insurance Cover
Check if your insurance policy covers you for an interruption in your business, or a temporary
business closure, caused by COVID-19.
Electricity and Heating:
The Utilities realise that cashflows are tight for companies presently. Contact them early to
get a payment plan in place to ensure you have
The CRU announced customer protection measures in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CRU has
placed a moratorium on all disconnections and increased emergency credit for Pay As You Go gas
meters during this period. For customers who are concerned about paying their electricity or gas bill,
you can find useful information here.
Rent
Emergency measures were announced on 19 March 2020 to protect tenants who have been
impacted by COVID-19. These are:
• A moratorium on notices to leave rental accommodation and a moratorium on rent
increases for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic
• An increase in the notice period for tenancies of less than six months from 28 to 90 days
Commercial Rates
On 20 March 2020, the Government agreed with local authorities that they should agree to defer
rates payments due from the most immediately impacted businesses - primarily in the retail,
Page 13 of 16hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors, for three months, until end-May. This measure will be
implemented by each local authority in its own area.
Banking
Bank Of Ireland
• Repayment Break Option
• Guidance in relation to COVID-19 for Business Customers
• Apply for a deferral of business current account fees
• Trade Finance and Foreign Currency Products
• Information for SMES in / or Facing Financial Difficulties
AIB
For AIB you can apply for a three month repayment break (moratorium or interest only) on home
mortgage, personal and SME loans – click here to access our online forms.
AIB supports may include:
Working capital solutions
• Overdrafts
• Business credit line
• Farmer credit line
• Prompt Pay
Short term loans
• You can continue to conduct day to day banking online through internet banking
• A short term loan may be used to replenish spend from cashflow
• You can now apply, sign and get your funds online for business loans from €2,000 to €60,000
Experiencing financial difficulty
Support in managing your existing credit facilities
• Capital Moratorium-i.e. interest only for a period
• Capital and Interest Moratorium
• Covenant Waivers
Ulsterbank
UB released a coronavirus guide for practical steps you can take to help your business, and how they
can help.
That support may include:
• Existing loans capital repayment holidays -
Page 14 of 16• Temporary new and increased overdrafts - register for a call back (opens in your email
client).
• Immediate access to deposit balances with no penalty
• Temporary emergency loans with no fees
For urgent requests regarding funding requirements, contact us via our webpage.
CRO
CRO Current Position due to Covid-19 Pandemic
Unfortunately, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the CRO is not in a position to process
submissions or answer queries at this time. We will endeavour to keep you updated on our position
as changes arise. For further updates please continue to check their https://www.cro.ie/About-
CRO/Contact-Us/Whats-Newor twitter @cro_ie.
Update Regarding Filing of Annual Returns
The Registrar of Companies has decided that all annual returns due to be filed by any Company now
and up to 30th June 2020 will be deemed to have been filed on time if all elements of the annual
return are completed and filed by that date. This will enable businesses and their financial advisers
to focus on the more immediate financial challenges facing them at this time. The situation will be
kept under review and the date of 30th of June may be extended depending on the situation as it
develops.
If you are due to complete your annual return filing at any time up to 30th June your annual return
will be deemed to have been filed on time if you capture the B1 form, upload your financial
statements, pay the fee and submit it online and then deliver the signature page as normal to the
CRO by that date. You may also complete the filing as normal using Revenue Online Services (ROS)
signatures instead of a signature page.
Please continue to file as normal during this period if you are in a position to do so. Annual returns
may not be processed within the usual timeframes, however, anything received will be queued and
processed as soon as possible.
Further information can be found at www.cro.ie, on our Twitter account @CRO_ie or by phoning
1890 220 226, and some Frequently Asked Questions are listed below.
FAQs Filing with the CRO up to 30th June 2020
My Annual Return is due but I am working from home and cannot get my accounts signed or my
signature page signed. What do I do?
The Registrar of Companies has decided that all annual returns due to be filed by any Company now
and up to 30th June 2020 will be deemed to have been filed on time if all elements of the annual
return are completed and filed by that date.
I have already filed my Annual Return and my signature page is due to be delivered to the CRO next
week?
Page 15 of 16All Annual Return signature pages due to be delivered to the CRO up to the 30th June 2020 will be
treated as received on time if they are received by close of business on 30th June 2020.
Can I still file online?
Please continue to file as normal during this period if you are in a position to do so.
Can I still file and sign with ROS?
You may complete the filing as normal using Revenue Online Services (ROS) signatures instead of a
signature page, if you have a ROS signature.
Will processing times be impacted?
Annual returns may not be processed within the usual timeframes, however, anything received will
be queued and processed as soon as possible.
What will happen if I still can’t file after 30th June?
The situation will be kept under review and the date of 30th June may be extended depending on the
situation at that time.
Where do I get up to date information?
Further information can be found at:
• https://twitter.com/cro_ie
• https://youtube.com/c/CROIRL
• https://linkedin.com/company/cro-ireland/
• https://www.cro.ie/About-CRO/Contact-Us/Whats-New
Public Office Closure: Thursday 12th March
CRO Public Office on Gloucester Place Lower, Dublin 1 is closed from Thursday 12th March and
remains shut indefinitely.
For further details please see below:
CRO Customers should still be able to access CRO online services www.core.ie and our website to
order documents and file submissions.
If customers were planning on hand delivering signature pages on Friday 13th March they should
instead post their signature pages and will be considered as received on time if received by close of
business on Wednesday 18th March.
Action! We’d like to hear how your business is dealing with COVID-19. Reading this document
shows you are being proactive. We’d love to hear your story and how successful you are with
financing applications or if there are any other supports we should know about. Please email me
Mark Ruane at mruane@bvp.ie.
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