Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the expansion of the rate of payments under the TBESS, is the 40% coverage of additional costs as far as the Government can go? I have pushed the Minister of State, Deputy English, a little on this question previously. I ask this because the current difficulties being experienced by Irish businesses, particularly SMEs and family businesses, are fairly significant. They need to know there will be flexibility in the event they need to go further on it. I am seeking from the Minister an assurance that this can be done.

There was a postponement in the increase in toll fares but that is still on the agenda. On top of the other increased costs businesses are facing, they are paying higher insurance premiums and the cost of fuel has gone up. Businesses are doing their best. I know from talking to them, and the Minister knows, that they are trying to remain agile but they do need some degree of certainty. I welcome that he said the Minister for Finance wants the first payments to be made before Christmas. That would be helpful for people who are trying to plan. The Wise survey specifically relates to their fears for next year, not this year. It would go a long way towards that if the Minister could give people a definitive date.

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