A recentPwC reportfound that there has been a slight rise in companies availing of the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (“SCARP”).
SCARP made up 6% of corporate insolvencies in Q2 2024, up from 3% in the previous quarter.
However, overall, the numbers availing of this insolvency option remain low, which is notable given that insolvencies generally are increasing.
Insolvency Trends
Many Irish businesses face the challenge of meeting warehoused debt. One option available is to address the debt via the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (“SCARP”).
Government Schemes
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of Irish companies took advantage of Government schemes, to include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (“EWSS”), the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (“CRSS”) and Debt Warehousing. PAYE, PRSI, USC, EWSS and CRSS overpayments were all warehoused.
What is Debt Warehousing?
A recently published Bill proposes amendments to the existing collective redundancy regime in insolvency situations. If enacted, the Bill will deliver on key Programme for Government commitments detailed in the Plan of Action – Collective Redundancies following Insolvency.
The financial thresholds of the Small Companies Administrative Rescue Procedure (SCARP) have been increased, meaning that SCARP is now a potential option for a larger number of companies in Ireland.
SCARP, which was introduced in 2021, aims to provide a cost-effective restructuring option for viable but insolvent companies. It is available to small and micro companies as defined in the Companies Act and is not an option for larger companies, which must use other restructuring mechanisms.
On Wednesday 19 June 2024, the Irish Corporate Enforcement Authority ("CEA") published its first-ever annual report. The Annual Report covers the 18-month period from July 2022 (when it replaced and assumed the responsibilities of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement) to 31 December 2023.
Supervision of corporate insolvency
The CEA has a statutory role in supervising the liquidation of insolvent companies and taking enforcement actions in respect of struck off insolvent companies.
The Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) was first introduced on 7 December 2021, to provide a quicker and more affordable formal restructuring process to businesses in Ireland. SCARP allows businesses to restructure their debts by agreeing to a rescue plan with their creditors.
The Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 (the “Employment Act”) was signed into law on 9 May 2024 albeit the provisions have not yet commenced. The General Scheme of Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 (the “Companies Bill”) was published in March this year and is expected to be enacted later this year. Both make significant changes to the restructuring and insolvency regime. We will continue to keep you apprised of developments regarding the commencement of the Act.
The Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 has been signed into law. The Act, once commenced, will amend the existing collective redundancy regime in insolvency situations and will deliver on key Programme for Government commitments detailed in the Plan of Action – Collective Redundancies following Insolvency.
Background
The Companies (Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies) Act 2021 was enacted in December 2021 to provide a more cost-effective restructuring process for smaller companies in Ireland (SCARP). It has a wide range of features which provide excellent opportunities to assist businesses in difficulty, in a similar format to Examinership but without the cost of the associated court hearings.
Process
The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) has recently issued an information note, which provides guidance to directors in respect of early warning tools, director's duties and restructuring processes for companies in financial difficulty.