TBESS business energy support
Deputy Dillon asked when businesses would receive payments under the temporary business energy support scheme. The Tánaiste said the scheme needs legislation and State aid approval, will be backdated to September, and should be operational by the end of November.
Government has acted decisively by announcing a package of measures worth €4.4 billion from which people will benefit in the coming weeks, if not immediately. Budget 2023 helps hard-pressed individuals and families at a time when they are feeling the strain of rising costs. The introduction of the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, a €1.25 billion programme of financial aid for businesses hit with soaring energy costs is without doubt a hugely significant intervention. How quickly will we get the first payment issued to businesses currently struggling? Speed is of the essence for this programme. Will the Department conduct a national communication plan for all businesses impacted? Will the Tánaiste confirm the eligibility criteria for entry into the scheme?
Comment on this
We have to legislate for it first and get State aid approval. It will be back-dated to September. We anticipate we can legislate, get State aid approval and have the scheme up and running by the end of the November. That is when people will get the payments and we will back-date them to September. It is open to any business that has seen an increase of 50% or more in the unit cost of energy or gas. It is not the total bill, it is the unit cost of energy or gas comparing the billing period this year with that of last year. Almost all businesses will qualify. A very small number are on a very low long-term tariff but that is not the norm. Almost all businesses will qualify and will be able to claim up to 40% of the increase up to a maximum of €10,000 per month per business.