Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Finance the increased supports, if any, that businesses will receive in tackling the cost-of-living crisis as they struggle to pay bills at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20942/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced in Finance Act 2022 to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs arising from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 30 April 2023. TBESS 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.

Recognising the ongoing difficulties that many businesses face in terms of energy prices, in February of this year, I exercised the power contained in Finance Act 2022 to extend the scheme from 28 February 2023 to 30 April 2023 and also to increase the monthly caps on aid granted under the scheme. From 1 March the monthly caps on aid increased to €15,000 per trade or profession, or in cases where the trade or profession of a qualifying business operates across more than one location, €15,000 per MPRN up to a maximum amount of €45,000 per month.

In addition, at the end of February 2023 the Government decided, as part of a package of cost of living measures, to make a number of enhancements to the scheme. The enhancements are aimed at allowing more businesses qualify for support and at increasing the level of support given.

These enhancements, for which State aid approval has been received under the European Commission

Temporary Crisis and Transition Frameworkare being legislated for in Finance Bill 2023 and are as follows:

• The extension of the scheme to 31 May 2023.
• The reduction in the energy cost threshold for entry into the scheme from 50 percent to 30 percent with effect from 1 September 2022.
• The increase in the amount of the temporary business energy payment (TBEP) from 40 percent of the eligible costs to 50 percent of the eligible costs for claim periods from 1 March 2023 until the end of the scheme, subject to the relevant monthly limits.
• The amendment of the time limit for making claims under the scheme such that businesses now have two months from the end of the scheme to complete their claims.