Statement by the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture

"We are working as fast as we can to bring additional support and certainty to businesses. Good progress has been made this week with meetings having taken place between Ministers, senior civil servants and industry representatives.

"I would like to reassure business owners and employees that additional support is on its way. I expect to be in a position to announce a new scheme to support businesses more directly, recognising that they continue to carry fixed costs whilst closed or are restricted in their trade. There will also be further enhancements to the Co-funded Payroll Scheme.

More details of both of these schemes will be made available, subject to final ministerial approval, early next week.”