Energy

Just 3,000 firms complete energy bill refund claims

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged more businesses to apply to Revenue to join the scheme announced as part of last year’s Budget

Nearly 9,000 businesses have registered for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, but only 3,000 firms have fully completed the claims process, according to the latest Revenue figures. Picture: PA

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is “surprised” that so few businesses have applied for the new €1.2 billion energy support scheme which was set up in response to soaring electricity and gas prices.

Under the scheme announced in the budget, businesses are eligible for a refund of 40 per cent of the increase in their gas and electricity bills by Revenue since September 1 as long as they have experienced a 50 per cent ...