Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Finance if the temporary business energy support scheme will be reviewed; the amount of the €1.25 billion allocated that has been claimed to date; if his attention has been drawn to reports the SME sector is really struggling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3022/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) is a broad-based measure designed to assist businesses that have experienced a significant increase in their natural gas and electricity costs. The scheme operates by comparing the average unit price for the relevant bill period with the average unit price in the corresponding reference period in the previous year. If the increase in average unit price is more than 50% then the threshold has passed, and the business is eligible for support under the scheme.Support is based on 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.

TBESS is a significant intervention designed to help business with increasing energy costs. The Government has recognised that it cannot fully mitigate the increase in energy prices incurred by businesses carrying out a trade or profession. The cap has been put in place in order to target the support at SMEs which are the backbone of the Irish economy.

Revenue publishes statistics weekly regarding the numbers registering for and claiming under the scheme. As of 18 January 12,357, businesses had registered for the scheme, of which 6,727 have commenced the claims process and 4,861 have submitted completed claims - some for more than one month or claim period. 5,793 claims have been approved with a value of €12.38m of which €10.99m has been paid out.

The scheme is currently due to expire at the end of February and, in that context, in the coming weeks I will examine the operation of the scheme.