Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. In response to Deputy Dillon, we are conscious that the next number of months will be very tough for many people. Deputy Carroll MacNeill gave an example of a business utility bill. We are seeing them being brought forward as well by households and constituents, who are sharing with us details of the bills they are receiving. What we have done will certainly help to insulate people to some extent, although not entirely and not in every case. We have to be honest about that. We have tried to target as many of the resources as possible to those who need them the most. That was the right thing to do but it does not take away from the challenge and the difficulty that will be there for many over the next few months.

In response to Deputy Carroll MacNeill, the temporary business energy support scheme will be legislated for shortly. It will be backdated to the beginning of September. The expectation is that the benefits of that scheme will begin to flow by way of payments in November. As the Deputy will be aware, the Revenue Commissioners will be directly leading operationally on that particular scheme. I know it cannot come soon enough for many businesses that need it urgently.

See this speech in context