Businesses in Clare’s hospitality sector are urging the Government to introduce budget measures to offset the impact of energy price hikes for small and medium enterprises.
They say some outlets have seen bills double in recent months.
It comes amid warnings of potential blackouts this winter.
Calls have been made for large companies to be given a greater burden of responsibility to reduce energy usage.
Concern is mounting that we could face blackouts in the winter month if electricity demand isn’t curbed during peak hours.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is proposing charging higher rates to users at times of high demand, such as between 5pm and 7pm.
Mountshannon-based Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley says places such as data centres and heavy manufacturing enterprises should be the first stakeholders asked to reduce their use.
Businesses in the hospitality sector say mounting costs in recent months are becoming unsustainable.
They’re calling for measures to be put in place in the budget to protect small an medium-sized businesses that have borne the brunt of closures during the pandemic.
Chair of the Clare branch of the VFI, Ennis publican Charlie O’Meara says a short-term measures won’t go far enough for struggling businesses.
One business owner says they’ve had to curtail their opening hours to cut down on energy usage.
Frank Landy of Sweet N Green says the current cost of doing business is simply unsustainable.
