Most vulnerable Irish firms need as much €5.7bn in liquidity to survive Covid-19 lockdown: Central Bank

The Central Bank says that if the most vulnerable SMEs are to survive the lockdown, up to €5.7bn in liquidity supports may be required

The most vulnerable small firms in Ireland employing hundreds of thousands of people will likely need as much as €5.7bn in so-called liquidity supports if they are to survive the 12-weeks of the Covid-19 lockdown, according to major research from the Central Bank.

The stark findings reveal that businesses will need between €2.4bn and €5.7bn in some form of liquidity -- on top of the wage-supports and self-employed business owners already announced -- if the most vulnerable SMEs are to survive the lockdown.