A scheme to assist businesses with their energy costs during the winter months kicks in today.
The government's €1.2 billion Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme was approved by the European Commission yesterday.
Businesses that qualify will get up to 40 per cent of the additional costs they are facing.
JP McMahon, a chef and restaurateur, says businesses are really struggling with rising costs:
"That may be enough, and it may not be enough. And I suppose it's very difficult to tell at the moment, and I think you'll see a lot of businesses will realise it's not enough and then they're more than likely close before for March. I mean, we're going to keep going. And just hope that it's enough. It really depends on so many different variables like how busy we'll be over Christmas".
