A total of 657 businesses in Roscommon are set to benefit from the Power Up Grant, a new financial support scheme announced as part of Budget 2025. Details of the grant, which will provide €4,000 to eligible businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors, were outlined in a parliamentary exchange between Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State Emer Higgins.
The scheme builds on the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme, which has already delivered €244m to 75,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including 38,000 in the retail and hospitality sectors. The Power Up Grant, backed by a €170m budget, will be available to businesses that previously received a second payment under the ICOB Scheme and continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
While Roscommon’s 657 approved businesses stand to gain from the initiative, the figure is lower than neighbouring counties such as Galway (1,022), Mayo (1,549), and Westmeath (926). Nationally, the highest number of eligible businesses is in Dublin City (4,093), followed by Cork County (2,819).
Minister Higgins stated that the grant aims to help businesses offset rising operational costs, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, which continue to experience financial pressure. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is currently finalising implementation details, with funds expected to be distributed later this year.
