The Government looks set to extend energy supports for businesses to the end of July.
The scheme had been due to expire at the end of the month, but Minister for Finance Michael McGrath will soon ask the Cabinet to keep the measure in place until 31 July.
Businesses can claim up to half of the increase in their gas or electricity bills under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).
It was due to end within weeks, but Minister McGrath believes it must remain in place longer.
"I think extending the scheme, combined with the improvements to the scheme.....will be of major benefit to businesses, many of whom are small and medium sized enterprises who are grappling with very high energy costs," he said.
Mr McGrath also reiterated the call on energy companies to pass on savings to consumers.
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"I believe we do need to see a reduction in the cost of energy for consumers. There have been dramatic falls in the cost of the wholesale level, but we haven't seen the pass through of those reductions to consumers, so that does need to happen," he said.
Opposition parties have renewed calls on the Government to do more for consumers struggling with high energy and food prices.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane accused the Government of taking a wait and see approach to rising grocery prices.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said a way must quickly be found to publish the profits of large retailers.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, Minister for European Affairs Peter Burke predicted that retail prices will fall within the next six weeks.
However, Labour leader Ivana Bacik is not convinced and has called on all left-wing parties to come together to formulate new economic policies.
She said this approach is urgently needed because the projected large budget surplus was not going to trickle down to the vast majority of homes and communities across the country.
