Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that he has had with the Minister for Finance with regard to providing assistance to businesses in the hospitality sector as a result of rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the hospitality sector is within the remit of Minister Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties businesses have faced over the past number of years, including those in the hospitality sector, with the necessary COVID-19 restrictions and now with the increased cost of living and in particular energy costs.
The Government has already implemented measures to help ease the impact on enterprises of rising energy costs, such as a temporary reduction in the excise duties charged, by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel, and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil.
There are over 20 other government grants, vouchers and training available to help enterprises reduce their energy bills by reducing their use and becoming more energy efficient. Details of these are available on gov.ie.
However, we are conscious of the need to continue working with the business community in Ireland to help businesses, particularly over coming months, but also into next year as energy prices escalate and the cost of living increases. This will be central to our budget discussions and new measures will be announced on Budget Day.
Officials in my Department are working with officials in the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; and Environment, Climate and Communications and other relevant departments to develop proposals to assist all business. A priority is to deliver that assistance as effectively and efficiently as possible.
