Minister Simon Coveney today launched a new energy support scheme for businesses that were impacted by significant increases in the cost of kerosene during 2022.

The Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK) will compensate eligible businesses for 50% of the increased cost of kerosene purchased for heating their business premises during the period from 1 March to 31 December 2022, compared to the average retail price for the same period in 2021. There will be a guaranteed minimum payment of €500.

Businesses that have a commercially rateable premises, and purchased a minimum of 1,000 litres of kerosene during the eligible period, can apply to the scheme.  B&Bs that are approved under the Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework are also eligible.  Businesses that have already received payments from the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme can apply to BUSSK, and businesses with multiple premises can apply in respect of each premises.

Minister Coveney said:

The cost of energy is a major factor in the operation of most businesses. The impact of the very significant price increases following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine was mitigated by the introduction of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme to support companies dealing with increased electricity and natural gas costs. This new scheme now extends similar supports to businesses that rely on Kerosene for heating purposes. It will help alleviate the financial burden that unprecedented energy price increases have placed on businesses.

Full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply to the scheme are available at the following address: www.bussk.ie.  The scheme will be open for applications until the 31 October 2023.