Budget 2023

Businesses to receive €1bn in energy bills support scheme

Firms in receipt of the allowance will be required to retain staff and implement energy efficiency initiatives

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar: ‘We are not going to allow viable businesses go to the wall.’ Picture: Fergal Phillips

A potential €1 billion business support scheme to partially refund energy bills is being finalised this weekend, as officials and ministers work on plans to prevent closures and job losses caused by inflation.

The government is focusing on immediate measures in Tuesday’s budget to help businesses survive the winter, but there are concerns that the energy crisis could continue into next year.

The scheme being finalised this weekend will attempt to save jobs by requiring ...