Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if businesses that have cases ongoing in relation to rates revaluation, but are tax-compliant, will be excluded from the energy subsidy scheme announced as part of Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40757/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Increased Cost of Business Scheme (ICOB) has successfully paid out €243m to date to almost 75,000 SMEs right around the country, including over 38,000 SMEs in the retail and hospitality sector. The ICOB scheme is now closed to registrations.

As part of Budget 2025, I announced the Power Up Grant which builds on the success of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. This scheme is for businesses in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors who received a second payment of the ICOB grant. These businesses are now in line to receive a €4,000 Power Up Grant once they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

As was the case with ICOB, a business must be rates compliant, however, a business in a performing payment plan agreed by the local authority may be deemed to be compliant. This is a matter for the relevant local authority as they are best placed to understand the specific circumstances in relation to the arrears.

Under Power Up, it is intended that businesses who became rateable in 2024 may be eligible. Officials in my Department are currently working on final details and implementation of the new scheme.