Hundreds of retail businesses in rural Ireland will close next year unless they receive more support with energy costs.
The Galway Vintners Association says changes are needed in the government’s Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
The association says an anomaly in the Finance Act whereby only those connected to the National grid can claim back 40 per cent of their energy bills if they experienced increased costs of 50 per cent, is unfair.
The association businesses whose energy costs have risen by up to 49 per cent, are excluded.
Chairman of the Galway Vintners Association, Joe Sheridan, says this unfair anomaly is benefiting some but is forcing others to close.
