Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Department of Finance

Business Supports

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of applications that have been made to the trade and business energy support scheme, TBESS, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63204/22]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Finance if addiction services funded under section 39 can avail of the trade and business energy support scheme in order to receive financial support to assist with escalating fuel costs. [63531/22]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 312 together.

Details of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) are set out in Finance Act 2022. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023 and is available to tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D where they meet the eligibility criteria.  

I can confirm that 10,773 businesses had registered for the scheme with over 3,600 businesses fully completing the claims process - some for multiple claim periods. 4,392 claims have been approved under the scheme to the value of €9.5m, with €9m already paid out. Revenue publishes statistics weekly on its website on the numbers registering for and claiming under the scheme.

The TBESS operates by reference to bills for the metered supply of natural gas and electricity. It is available to eligible businesses whose average unit price of electricity or gas has increased by at least 50% for the relevant billing period between September 2022 and February 2023, as compared with their average unit gas or electricity price in for the corresponding reference period in the previous year. Where this threshold is met, payments will be made to qualifying businesses on the basis of 40% of the amount of the increase in eligible electricity or natural gas costs between the bill amount which is the subject of the claim and the bill amount in the corresponding reference period in the previous year.

Community, voluntary and not for profit agencies funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 to deliver health and social care services, which are not businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D, are not within the scope of the TBESS and are not eligible for support under the scheme. Where health and social care services are provided by businesses that are carrying on a trade that is chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, for example nursing homes that operate with a view to making a profit, those businesses will be eligible for support under TBESS where the conditions of the scheme are met. Charities that carry on activities that would be chargeable to tax as trading income, but for an available tax exemption, are also included in the scope of the scheme.

Revenue has published comprehensive guidelines on the operation of the scheme, which includes information on eligibility for the scheme.  The guidelines are available on the Revenue website on the starting and running a business page. I would urge eligible businesses to submit their claims as soon as possible, noting that the deadline for submission of claims in respect of September 2022 is 31 January 2023.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.