The Taoiseach has hinted that the energy credits currently in place for struggling businesses will be retained after February.
Leo Varadkar said that it is unlikely that inflation will be under control by then.
Under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, businesses can claim back 40% of their expenditure.
It is only applicable where energy costs have risen by 50% or more during the cost of living crisis.
The Taoiseach has said that the matter will be seriously considered in the coming weeks.
"If we do nothing at the end of February, the energy credits run out... VAT goes up on hospitality, electricity and gas, and excise goes up on petrol and diesel", he said.
"I don't think that's a credible proposition at the end of February."
Households
Over 2.2 million households will receive the next €200 electricity credit payment from tomorrow.
Depending on a household’s billing cycle, people will benefit from the credit during either January or February.
This is the second of three €200 electricity credits announced as part of a suite of measures under Budget 2023 to deal with the cost of living crisis.
The first €200 credit was applied before Christmas as part of the November/December billing cycle.
The Taoiseach has not implied that households will be given additional credits beyond the third payment in March or April.
The €600 in credits will ultimately cost the State over €1.2 billion as part of a broader €4.1 billion package of one-off measures that was announced in Budget 2023.
Energy shortage
The increase in energy prices is primarily being blamed on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan believes that this energy shortage could continue for years.
"This energy war, which is what it is, will continue and unfortunately looks like it could be not just this winter but next winter... the winter after that we have to prepare for", he said.
"That requires a steady, determined, united approach in Europe."
However, he does not expect a European Union price cap to happen in the short-term.
"I don't expect to see it happen - certainly not next week. I wouldn't rule it out, but not immediately," he added.
