Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline any future plans for energy cost supports and assistance for businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53087/22]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work that is taking place in his Department to encourage and support small and medium businesses to remain open, given the current difficulties with the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53108/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 63 together.

I wish to reassure the Deputy that this Government is very aware of the difficulties that businesses are facing due the current energy crisis.

Businesses now require help with their energy bills and that is why a significant package to help businesses with escalating energy costs and to plan for the future was announced in Budget 2023.

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, to be administered by Revenue, is being designed to support eligible businesses that have experienced a significant increase in their electricity and/or natural gas costs. It will apply to trades, professions and 'new businesses' and will be finalised as part of the Finance Bill which is progressing through the Houses.

Additionally, the new €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme for manufacturing and internationally traded firms will provide up to €500,000 per firm to ensure there is sufficient liquidity available in the markets and up to €2 million per firm for energy intensive business.

A new €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme will assist the wider business sector with liquidity and to invest in energy efficiency. Government approval was secured earlier this week to publish the legislation to underpin this which we will bring through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. A new State-backed Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will also be opened next year.

The reduced rate of VAT on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9% has also been extended until the 28th February 2023.

The Government will keep the energy situation under constant review, and we will continue to examine what measures are possible to manage the impact of rising energy prices.