Small businesses closed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis can get some relief under a new scheme to suspend gas and electricity network charges.
The temporary Supply Suspension Scheme has been agreed on by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, along with gas and electricity suppliers.
Meant to alleviate pressure on SMEs, the scheme ensure that qualifying customers will have no energy or network charges billed for their business premises.
The CRU is conscious of the challenges that both domestic and non-domestic customers are facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” commented Aoife MacEvilly, Chairperson of the CRU.
“The domestic customer protection measures that were announced in March and extended to June 16 have provided a level of security for those customers.”
“The measure announced today should support SME’s and their suppliers by avoiding the build-up of debt and facilitating the vital SME sector to get back up and running quickly when the current trading restrictions are lifted.”
In order to qualify for the scheme, businesses must be classified as a non-essential service provider, have been trading before March 13, and closed continuously since March 28 as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
The goals of the scheme are to reduce the risk of bad debt accumulating in the energy sector, and to make it easier for small and medium sized enterprises to return to business.
The scheme opened on May 1, and will continue until July 31 under the management of the CRU.
Minister Richard Bruton welcomed the scheme, saying “Electricity and gas charges are typically a small proportion of many business’s overall costs; however it is important that everything possible is done to support enterprise during this particularly difficult time.”
“The measures being announced today will also ensure that enterprises can return to operation as quickly as possible once the public health restrictions are revised.”
Denis O’Sullivan, Managing Director at Gas Networks Ireland said “Gas Networks Ireland recognises the difficulty facing these businesses during the Covid-19 crisis.”
“In particular we understand the financial pressure on small businesses that have effectively closed as a result of Covid-19.”
“To try and alleviate some of the financial pressure, Gas Networks Ireland will forego network charges for a period of three months.”
“We hope that this measure, along with other supports from government, will assist these businesses in getting back on their feet as quickly as possible and support overall economic recovery.”
