Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
555. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on previously announced plans to introduce a scheme for business users of LPG and kerosene given that these are not eligible fuels under the TBESS, as confirmed in Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 21 March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37525/23]
View answerOn 6th September, I launched the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene to provide support to businesses that were impacted by significant increases in the cost of this fuel following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The scheme will provide eligible businesses with a payment to compensate them for half of their increased costs in the period from 1st March to 31st December 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021.
The implementation of this scheme delivers on a commitment that I made earlier this year to ensure that businesses that rely on kerosene for heating purposes are supported in the same manner as those that have already received support in respect of increased electricity and natural gas costs under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
When designing the scheme, my Department examined available data on kerosene and LPG price trends in 2022, compared to 2021. The average price of a litre of Kerosene increased from €0.70 in 2021 to €1.32 in 2022, an 89% increase. This justified the creation of a scheme to support businesses that rely on Kerosene. The average price of LPG increased by less than 20% during 2022. It was therefore considered that the inclusion of LPG users in the scheme could not be justified.
The Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene will be open for applications until the 31st October. Details of eligibility criteria and of how to apply are available online at bussk.ie.
