Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2023
45. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to establish a scheme to assist manufacturers in paying energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11904/23]
View answerThe €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Fund, which was launched in October 2022, provides liquidity support to viable but vulnerable manufacturing and internationally traded services companies experiencing trading difficulties, as well as targeted supports for eligible energy intensive companies experiencing severe increases in energy costs.
The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) is a grant designed to help businesses with increasing energy costs. The Scheme which has been designed by Department of Finance is being administered by the Revenue Commissioners. However, funding for the Scheme is allocated to the Vote of my Department and provides daily transfers at the request of the Revenue Commissioners.
Following extensive stakeholder engagement in late January/early February 2023 on the operation of the Scheme, the Department of Finance conducted a review of the Scheme. Following this review, the Government as part of the new round of cost of living supports, decided to amend the Scheme to allow more businesses apply for this grant, including extending the Scheme to 30 April 2023 and increasing the eligible amounts.
For claim periods from 1 March 2023 onwards, a number of other proposed enhancements to the scheme are subject to State aid approval including to extend the Scheme to 31 May 2023 and other improvements.
I am also exploring options for providing assistance to businesses who rely on Oil and LPG as their energy source and I will revert to Government on this in due course.
