Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for small businesses to support them with increasing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56482/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government is very aware of the difficulties that businesses are facing due the current energy crisis and with the associated rise in cost of doing business.

The Government has introduced a significant package of assistance in Budget 2023 to help businesses over the coming months with their energy bills.

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme 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.

The new €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme was recently launched for manufacturing and internationally traded firms. It 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 has been received to publish the legislation to underpin this which will be brought 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.

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.