Minister Simon Coveney urges Galway businesses to avail of kerosene scheme supports

By Naomi Hamilton O’Donnell

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Simon Coveney TD, is urging Galway businesses to apply for the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK).

The scheme is open for applications until 31 October, so business owners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The scheme comes as Galway business owners saw a huge increase in the cost of kerosene in 2022.

Under the scheme, eligible businesses will be compensated for 50% of the increased cost of kerosene bought for heating their premises between 1 March and 1 December 2022, compared to the average retail price for the same period in 2021.

There will be a guaranteed minimum payment of €500.

Minister Coveney explained that the scheme was set up to support businesses that depend on kerosene, stating: “It is designed to help alleviate the financial burden that increased kerosene prices have placed on businesses.

“I would urge those businesses in Co. Galway who are impacted to apply for the scheme before it closes at the end of October.”

Criteria

Businesses that have commercially rateable premises and bought a minimum of 1,000 litres of kerosene during the eligible period can apply for the scheme, as well as businesses that have received payments from the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.

Businesses with multiple premises can apply in respect of each premises.

B&Bs that are approved under the Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework are also eligible.

For full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply, visit www.bussk.ie.