Firms can register for energy support scheme tomorrow

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), which will assist businesses with their energy costs during the winter months, will open for registrations tomorrow – Saturday 26 November.

The €1.2 billion scheme, which will be administered by Revenue, received approval from the European Commission yesterday.

Businesses will be able to use the online system to submit claims under the scheme from 5 December.

Payments under the scheme will be made once the Finance Bill, which contains the legislation underpinning the scheme, is enacted later in December.

Businesses who have seen their energy bills jump as a result of soaring wholesale prices caused by the war in Ukraine will receive aid in the form of direct grants.

Businesses that qualify will get up to 40% of the additional costs they are facing.

To quality they must demonstrate that their average monthly unit price for either electricity or gas has increased by at least 50%, compared to the average unit price for the same month in the previous year.

The scheme will run initially until 28 February, but may be extended until 30 April at the latest.

It will be open to companies of all sizes active in all sectors that are affected by the current crisis, the only exception being credit and financial institutions.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said the scheme is so important to so many businesses struggling to pay astronomical gas and electricity bills.

“My Government colleagues and I have been hearing from businesses all around the country about how much they really need this money – and we want to get it to them as soon as possible – ideally before Christmas,” Mr Varadkar said.

“So I urge businesses owners and managers – have your bills ready, have your tax clearance certs ready, and make sure that your claim can be processed by Revenue without any undue delay,” he added.

The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the TBESS scheme is the largest single item announced as part of Budget 2023.

He said the scheme will provide much needed support to thousands of businesses across the country who are experiencing a material shock to the price of their energy inputs.

“The approval by the European Commission paves the way for Revenue to open the online system for registrations for the scheme on 26 November, and to accept claims under the scheme from 5 December,” he said.

“Businesses will start to receive payments under the scheme as soon as the Finance Bill is enacted later in December,” he added.

Article Source: Firms can register for energy support scheme tomorrow – RTE

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