Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

316. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the emergency funding that may be available to help alleviate the current energy bills crisis for companies in the primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture sectors given that they are excluded from the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57080/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Along with the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme, an additional energy support scheme, the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), was also announced in Budget 2023. Businesses in the primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture sectors are eligible to claim under the TBESS.

The TBESS will assist businesses with their electricity or natural gas (energy) costs during the winter months. The scheme will be open to businesses that:- Are tax compliant.- Carry on a Case I trade or Case II profession (including certain charities and approved sporting bodies in relation to certain income), and,- Have experienced a significant increase of 50 % or more in their natural gas and electricity average unit price between the relevant bill period in 2022 and the corresponding reference period in 2021.

Revenue will administer the scheme, which is designed to be compliant with the European Union (EU) State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework. Claims operate on a self-assessment basis and are subject to a monthly cap of €10,000.

This is a really significant measure at a time of escalating costs, which will be of direct and rapid practical support to farmers and food businesses, including those in the seafood sector.