Govt business energy support scheme open for claims
Businesses that are seeking assistance with meeting the cost of rising energy bills can now submit claims under the Government’s support scheme.
Revenue has said eligible firms which have already registered for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) can now lodge applications for the grant funding.
Under the €1.2bn plan, businesses can recoup up to 40% of the increased value of their energy bills when compared to the same period last year.
The unit price being paid must have increased by at least 50% versus last year in order for the claim to qualify.
It covers the period from September 1st to February 28th, although there is scope under the plan to extend it to April 30th.
The first payments covering September through to November could be paid by the end of the year, if firms have registered and submitted a claim by the third week of December, Revenue said.
So far 3,200 businesses have registered through the e-Registration portal on the Revenue online system, ROS.
The portal opened for registrations on November 26th.
To qualify, applicants will need to provide a current tax clearance cert, details of their energy account or accounts and a figure showing the percentage of energy use attributable directly to the carrying out of their business.
They will also need bills from the relevant reference period last year.
The level of payments available under the scheme is capped at €10,000 a month, or up to €30,000 where a business operates from more than one location.
Businesses that claim the TBESS will have their names published on the Revenue website.
Some business representative organisations, while welcoming the support, have criticised it for not lasting long enough or for not being paid at an adequate enough level.
Article Source: Govt business energy support scheme open for claims – Will Goodbody – RTE
