LISTEN: Over 800 traders wrongly turned down for Covid19 support grants

By Q Radio News

More than 800 business owners in Northern Ireland have falsely been told they aren't eligible for Covid support. 

They've received an email saying they can't get money because they weren't trading before the pandemic - even though some have been open for decades. 

It's understood the error is a result of a check box problem in the application process for the localised restriction grant. 

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the finance minister to apologise. 

“One trader who has been in business for over 30 years was told they were not eligible because they were not trading prior to the restrictions being in place,'' she said. 

''Another who has traded for over a decade was told the same.

''I queried both cases with Conor Murphy’s department and now understand that this was a “checkbox” problem in the application process and there are 800 applicants affected by it.

''The Minister would need to get his ‘check boxes’ sorted and get the money rolled out to businesses who were forced to close and need the support.

''Whilst the Department is now addressing the problem, this will undoubtedly add further delay to the businesses receiving their support.

''At the very least, the Minister should apologise for this delay and confusion caused.

''I appreciate that we need robust checks and balances, but these payments are for restrictions started on 16 October.”