Figures show 'appallingly low take-up' of State's energy support scheme

The most recent update shows that just €72.45 million has been approved to give to businesses, with around €64 million paid out.

The uptake of the temporary business energy support scheme has been called "appallingly low" as the European Union signed off on fresh improvements.

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was approved in Budget 2023 in September with €1.25bn budgeted to assist businesses with up to 40% of the increase in electricity or gas bills. Under the initial terms of the scheme a business can make a claim if it is tax compliant, carries on a Case I trade or Case II profession, and experienced a significant increase of 50% or more in its electricity and/or natural gas average unit price.