Please note: You will need to create an account prior to starting out the form
UPDATE 28/09/2021:
Kilkenny County Council is making an addendum to the guidelines for The Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Business. In recognition of the global demand for outdoor seating and accessories in some instances suppliers are unable to complete orders until January 2022. In these ‘exceptional circumstances’ applicants can still apply under the scheme and will receive their grants once goods are delivered and they can provide proof of deliver and in-situ. Applicants need to apply for the scheme prior to the closing date (8th October 2021) enclosing the quotes for goods, delivery dates from the suppliers and will still need to be compliant with all regulatory and planning requirements. Please note the closing date has been extended to the 8th October 2021.
PART A - GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SCHEME
Scheme Overview
The focus of this scheme is to provide a level of financial support to tourism and hospitality businesses, in our town centres, to purchase or upgrade equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and, therefore, increase their outdoor dining capacity for the summer of 2021. This scheme will financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality business owners to create outdoor dining experiences in a regulated and accessible manner. Funding under the scheme is only available to existing businesses.
The Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business Scheme will be administered through Local Authorities and each local Authority has the right to use their discretion in regard to their process and the development of appropriate terms and conditions that are appropriate for their respective streetscapes, businesses etc. All applicants will be required to comply with planning codes, legislative requirements and other compliance requirements.
This scheme is administered by Kilkenny County Council in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.
1. Who is Eligible?
- The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses, or other tourism and hospitality business establishments.
- Those premises that have no commercial rates due in respect of premises have been paid for the period up to 31st December 2019 or a payment plan is in place with the Local Authority
- Only B&B accommodation that has its own standalone café/restaurant that is open to the general public and not only paying guests are eligible for the scheme. B&B businesses have had access to a specific restart grant for that sector in 2020.
Please note that private member clubs, social clubs and sports clubs that are not accessible to the general public during all trading hours are not eligible. Catering companies may not be eligible for the scheme if they do not own / rent a fixed premises and would generally not own the interior furniture of a premises they supply catering services to.
2. What Items are considered eligible for the scheme.
- Tables
- Chairs
- Umbrellas
- Electric heaters
- Screens/windbreaks
- Plant stands
- Wooden Platforms
The tables and chairs or other furniture shall be of robust and stable construction to prevent movement in adverse weather conditions and be agreed with Kilkenny County Council.
Screens/windbreakers must be agreed with Kilkenny County Council and will be subject to the following conditions;
- Screens to be plain, coloured or neutral canvas type, not more than 1 metre high, spanning between or framed by simple metal type posts.
- Screens to be manufactured from flame/fire retardant material.
- Base plates or weighted bases to screening posts must not extend outside the licensed area.
- All screens, posts and bases must be demountable.
- Screens must be sufficiently robust to prevent overturning in adverse weather conditions.
- No advertising apart from the name of the premises to be used on the screens, without the permission of Kilkenny County Council.
3. Amount of Grant Available
The scheme will provide for up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed with a maximum allowable contribution of up to €4,000 per applicant.
4. Privacy & Data Protection
Personal information collected by Kilkenny County Council is done so in order for us to process your application. Legally we can process this information as it is necessary for us to comply with our statutory / legal obligations. The protection of your personal data is a key priority for the Council and your data will be processed in line with our Privacy policy which is available at:
https://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Privacy/or hardcopy from our offices at County Hall; Kilkenny County Council, John Street, Kilkenny. If you require further information regarding our Privacy Statement, you can contact us at dataprotection@kilkennycoco.ie or write to us at: Data Protection Officer, Kilkenny County Council, John Street, Kilkenny 056-7794000
5. Applications for Funding Timeline
The scheme will be open from the 12/4/2021 for applications. Applicants will apply through their relevant Local Authority. The scheme will close on the 30/9/2021.
Expenditure must be incurred between 1st April 2020 and 30th September 2021 and payment will be made by Local Authorities to approved applicants on submission of receipts and photography of furniture in situ.
6. Freedom of Information
Applicants should be aware that, under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, information provided by them in this Application may be liable to be disclosed. Applicants are asked to consider if any of the information provided by them in their Application should not be disclosed because of its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity. If Applicants consider that certain information is not to be disclosed because of its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity, Applicants must, when providing such information, clearly identify such information and specify the reasons for its confidentiality or commercial sensitivity. If Applicants do not identify information as confidential or commercial sensitive, it is liable to be released in response to a Freedom of Information request without further notice or consultation with the Applicant. Kilkenny County Council will, where possible, consult with the Applicant about confidential or commercial sensitive information so identified before making a decision on a request received under Freedom of Information.
Completed application forms or questions relating to Section 254 licences should be sent to:
Arlene O'Connor
Section 254 Licences
Planning Department
Kilkenny County Council
Telephone 056 7794010
Or by email to: planning@kilkennycoco.ie/arlene.oconnor@kilkennycoco.ie
Please note that fees for S254 licence will be waived in 2021 and be reintroduced in 2022.
Any further information required on the ‘Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Scheme’ please contact by email:
Martina.comerford@kilkennycoco.ie