Longford restaurants must get six months energy bill supplement payment

MEP Ciaran Mullooly is calling on the government to urgently introduce a targeted, six-month energy bill supplement for small businesses and restaurants, beginning this September, as soaring energy costs threaten not only the survival of these vital enterprises but also the competitiveness of the entire food sector. Mullooly warns that without immediate relief, rising overheads will force many restaurants and small businesses to pass increased costs onto consumers, further fueling the cycle of inflation and putting additional pressure on families already struggling with the cost of living.

Mullooly noted that small businesses and restaurants in County Longford are grappling with significant financial challenges due to escalating energy costs, warning that, in the absence of targeted government assistance, the prospect of closures and job losses could seriously undermine the strength and cohesion of local communities.

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This call for action comes in the wake of Mullooly’s recent address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where he highlighted the relentless surge in food prices across Europe. He cited a 4.9% jump in food price inflation over just 12 weeks and a cumulative 3.6% increase over the past year, underscoring the unprecedented strain on household budgets. Mullooly emphasised that food inflation is hitting working families and the most vulnerable hardest, while also threatening the economic stability of communities dependent on small businesses and the hospitality sector.

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He argued that this crisis is being exacerbated by a combination of rising energy costs, geopolitical instability, and the accelerated implementation of climate targets on unrealistic timescales. Mullooly urged both the Government and EU policymakers to strike a pragmatic balance between environmental ambition and economic affordability, insisting that food security and living standards must not be sacrificed for idealistic goals. He called for transparency, evidence-based policy, and robust support for those most affected by rising costs, emphasising that practical assistance for small businesses and restaurants-such as targeted energy bill supplements-is essential to keeping costs down, maintaining competitiveness, and ultimately ensuring that both businesses and households can weather the current economic challenges together.