Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the uptake to date by businesses in relation to energy costs supports; his plans to extend supports to businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9264/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government is acutely aware of the ongoing cost of living crisis and continues to monitor all cost of living schemes currently available to businesses and families. The Government was not found wanting during the COVID-19 pandemic and it will continue to support businesses now.

As of Wednesday 15 February, 2023, the no of applications are 23,532. No of approvals 18,506 to the value of €38.32million. I am aware that this scheme has been under-subscribed and that is why the Government announced on Tuesday last a new round of cost of living supports.

As part of this the current Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) is being amended to allow more businesses apply for this grant.

It is now proposed to make the following amendments to the TBESS:

- Extend the end date of the scheme, which is currently 28 February 2023, to 31 May 2023 with an option to further extend it to 31 July 2023 by Ministerial Order.

- Reduce the ‘energy cost threshold’ for the scheme, so a tax compliant business can claim relief where it can demonstrate that the average unit price for electricity or natural gas on the relevant bill has increased by 30 percent or more as compared to the average unit price of electricity or natural gas in the reference period. This revised threshold will be applied on a retrospective basis from September 2022 so businesses who were not previously eligible for the scheme due to the 50 percent energy cost threshold may now be eligible for the scheme.

- Increase, from 1 March 2023, the level of relief from 40 percent of the eligible cost to 50 percent, subject to the monthly limits on aid provided for under the scheme.

- Raise the monthly cap from €10,000 to €15,000 from 1 March onwards.

It should be noted that State aid approval under the "Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid measures to support the economy following the aggression against Ukraine by Russia” is required before these amendments to TBESS can be implemented.

I have also made a commitment to explore options for provide assistance to businesses who rely on Oil and LPG as their energy source and revert to Government on this matter.