Oral Answers to Questions — Finance – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 2:30 pm ar 7 Mai 2024.
Very quickly, Minister.
Given the positive impact of the back in business scheme, I am glad to advise that legislation to restore it was made by my Department at the end of March. That has been cleared by the Finance Committee, and the Assembly will debate it, I believe, next week. I hope that the Chamber will support the reinstatement of that scheme. When the back in business scheme was last in place during 2022-23, 101 businesses benefited from the 50% rate reduction, and the majority of those were small independent retailers. It helped businesses to get started, supported jobs and got long-term vacant units back into use.
Reinstating that popular scheme is now more important than ever in order to help new businesses emerge.
Time is up. Well done.
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Ms Bradshaw made a complaint for referral to the Speaker. I feel that some of my remarks may have been misconstrued. Ms Bradshaw, I therefore apologise.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.