The European Commission has adopted, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a temporary framework providing Member States with additional possibilities to tackle the effects of the current economic crisis.

The Temporary Aid Framework forms part of the measures announced by the Commission in its 26th November European Economic Recovery Plan. This plan introduces a number of temporary measures to allow Member States to address the exceptional difficulties of companies to obtain finance.

One of the elements of the temporary aid framework is to allow Member States grant without notification of individual cases, aid of up to €500,000. All measures are limited until the end of 2010 and are subject to conditions.

The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund is funded under the Temporary Aid Framework and must be taken into account when applying for support under the Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary). The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund is only granted to exporting companies who are agency clients.