Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We engage regularly with all representative bodies, as the Deputy will know, and try to work with them on the design of these schemes. The Minister has said several times, including on budget day, that the scheme would initially cover gas and electricity and companies not supported under the scheme would then be considered. I do not have a figure for the number coming forward or what mechanism will we employ, but there is a commitment to keep this and other schemes under review. Contingency funds have been set aside under next year's budget to bring forward supports, if necessary. We will keep track of that. The process for dealing with this matter extends across three Departments. Data on energy usage in various businesses, which we needed to put the scheme in place, came from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. We will keep an eye on that process. If the Deputy is being contacted by businesses, I will be happy to engage with them to strengthen the case for increasing the reach of these supports if need be.