Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Buíochas leis an Teachta Browne as an ábhar seo a ardú. I thank Deputy Browne for raising this issue. I absolutely understand, and am aware of, the concerns the Deputy has expressed on behalf of his constituent in Tipperary. Businesses all over the island are worried about energy costs heading into the winter. As the Deputy has said, businesses need help with their energy bills. The Government has introduced a significant package to assist them. As the Deputy is aware, the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, is being designed to support eligible businesses that have experienced a significant increase in their electricity or natural gas costs. The TBESS provides up to €30,000 per month for a company with multiple branches, similar to that described by the Deputy. The scheme is currently being discussed as part of the Finance Bill and should, hopefully, be implemented as soon as the Finance Bill is passed in the House. We will then be in a position to begin supporting businesses directly.

In addition to TBESS, I would also direct the Deputy to the Revenue Commissioners' website, which has a very detailed questions and answers document about how TBESS will work. There is also the new €200 million Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme for manufacturing and internationally traded firms. In addition, a new €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine credit guarantee scheme, which the Deputy spoke on yesterday, will assist the wider business sector with liquidity and to invest in energy efficiency.

Small and medium-sized businesses can currently receive an energy audit voucher from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, to get professional advice on how to increase efficiency and reduce their energy costs. Other financial assistance includes the SEAI community grant and grants for microgeneration. All businesses such as those described by the Deputy can contact the local enterprise office for support and guidance on how to get through the current challenges.

It is important to note that the rate of incorporations of new companies still far outstrips liquidations, and the rate of company incorporations continues to remain robust in 2022. We have also put in place the small companies administrative rescue process, SCARP, a dedicated rescue process for small and micro companies, which makes rescue and restructuring quicker, more accessible and affordable to fundamentally viable companies experiencing temporary difficulties, such as the current energy costs.

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