Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
27. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support SMEs through the spike in energy costs precipitated by the conflict in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45100/22]
View answer28. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that his Department is considering for small and medium enterprises in view of the escalating energy costs on these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45119/22]
View answer30. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that will be introduced for businesses in the face of escalating energy costs. [44887/22]
View answer34. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department's planned supports to help businesses with the ongoing energy crisis in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45051/22]
View answer35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that will be introduced to support small and medium enterprises, with particular reference to the increasing energy costs and the difficulties arising for such businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44920/22]
View answer41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the assistance that the Government plans to give to small businesses that are struggling due to increased costs such as energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44729/22]
View answer49. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the different mechanisms available to his Department to support SMEs with the rising cost-of-energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45055/22]
View answer54. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way that he is helping businesses to address the increase in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45161/22]
View answer57. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that he proposes to take to support small businesses dealing with escalating electricity costs. [45155/22]
View answer62. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the current cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45002/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28, 30, 34, 35, 41, 49, 54, 57 and 62 together.
I think it is fair to say that this Government has not been found wanting when it has come to helping businesses get through difficult periods. The multi-billion euro financial assistance provided by Government during the pandemic was unprecedented, whether it was help with businesses’ wage bill so they could keep staff on, their overheads, the introduction of a cheaper, easier way to restructure and survive than examinership; the commercial rates waiver, or the reduction in VAT for the hospitality sector.
I'm very conscious of how worried businesses are now going into the winter and their concerns around energy costs. Unfortunately, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is having massive consequences for the whole of Europe, not just Ireland.
We are working on new proposals to help businesses with rapidly rising energy prices and I hope to be able to make a positive announcement about that in the Budget.
We’ll also be looking to raise awareness around energy efficiency, helping businesses reduce the amount of energy they use in the first place and improving take-up of the approximately 20 different schemes we already have in place for business.
For example, in June we announced a new €55 million ‘Green Transition’ fund to help businesses move away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable, cheaper alternatives.
