Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Since the cost-of-living crisis began to emerge last year, there have been repeated calls on the Government to act swiftly. Unfortunately, the Government's response has not been swift enough for many, but we must acknowledge when it does act. The Bill is important as it makes €1.2 billion available to SMEs, primary producers and mid-caps that have fewer than 500 employees. It will therefore provide low-cost unsecured working capital for SMEs and primary producers to help them to spread increased input costs and to limit disruption to supply chains. That is to be welcomed. However, I wish to address the concerns that have been expressed to me by a number of businesses which, unfortunately, have had to close some of their branches or shut their doors altogether.

One such businessman, a butcher who is a member of the Irish Butchers Guild, told me he was forced to close one of his outlets which employed six staff. That had a significant impact on the local economy. Only in the past 18 months he invested €150,000 in that shop, and now it and the six jobs it provided are gone. The shop made great progress towards becoming more energy-efficient and it galls the butcher to see the energy providers record higher profits. While such businesses were considered an essential service during the darkest days of the Covid-19 pandemic, they feel forgotten about now. They see the temporary business energy support scheme as somewhat helpful but not enough to offset what they have termed the new astronomical overheads they face. They also point out that covering the winter months does not assist the sector enough as it is over the summertime that they use the most electricity. Another butcher warned me that the retail butchers are closing week on week and that time is really running out to save these businesses.

While I appreciate the contents of the Bill, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, the Government's delay in providing meaningful supports has been too long for many such as the businesses to which I have referred. If there is one thing I would like to say to those on the Government benches, it is about acting swiftly in the face of a crisis. I do not mean acting irresponsibly; I mean acting appropriately. I also mean addressing the other pressures being placed on businesses in order that they have more room to manoeuvre when faced with a crisis such as this. Take insurance premiums, for example. There was a large drop in the personal injuries awards recorded by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB. It has been calling on the insurance industry to slash premiums in line with the fall in personal injuries awards. It is only through truly supporting businesses in good times as well as bad that they can have the stamina to deal with crises such as this.

I urge the Minister of State to consider the words of the butcher concerned and to tailor responses that take account of the individual nature of energy use by specific businesses. For example, assistance during the winter months may help some but not others. Further loans may be acceptable to some but not be an option for others. I am thankful for this opportunity on behalf of Tipperary businesses.

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