Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have talked to the Deputy about this on a number of occasions. He is correct; there is a small number of significant difficulties the residents have experienced having made what was, in my mind, a very good investment in a communal heating system but having been caught out because of the high price of gas. I do not believe, as I said to him the other day, that this would qualify for the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, although we will have to see when the specific provisions of that scheme are put in place, nor do I believe there could be a cap specifically for such circumstances. There are alternative solutions they can switch to, whether wood pellet or other systems, for managing it.

One point, which may be of limited comfort, is that there has been a significant reduction in the international price of gas on the spot market in recent weeks. While we cannot be certain as to how long that will last and it is likely to do with wider international factors, it may give some relief from what were exceptionally high prices that those householders, in particular, faced. I know it is not sufficient, but it may be of some relief to them in the interim.

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