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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 84 and 87 together.

The TBESS was introduced to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs over the winter months. TBESS is provided for in sections 100 to 102, inclusive, of the Finance Act 2022. The scheme is administered by the Revenue and initially provided support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023. The scheme operates by reference to bills for the metered supply of electricity and natural gas through electricity accounts or gas connections identified by a business’s own meter point reference number, MPRN, or gas point reference number, GPRN. It provides for a cash payment to qualifying businesses impacted by the unprecedented increase in energy costs resulting from the military aggression by Russia in Ukraine. The scheme is subject to state aid approval under the European Commission’s temporary crisis framework for state aid measures to support the economy following the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.

I have announced several significant enhancements to the scheme so that additional businesses can benefit from this vital support. The scheme was originally due to expire on 28 February 2023. While the Government confirmed its decision to extend the scheme to 31 May 2023, pending the introduction of necessary legislation to make this change, and to facilitate the continuation of the scheme in the meantime, I have exercised the power contained in section 100 of the Finance Act 2022 to extend the scheme to 30 April 2023. I will allow time for the Deputy to put any specific question, if he wishes to.

See this speech in context