Renewable Energy Generation

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

Questions (27)

Paul Lawless

Question:

27. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total SEAI budget allocated for non-domestic renewable energy supports in each of the past three years; the proportion of that budget that remained unspent; how he reconciles this underspend with the fact that the Department of Agriculture; Food and the Marine is rejecting approximately 75% of farmers applying for solar PV support due to budget constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The primary scheme to support renewable energy in the non-domestic sector is the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme (NDMG) which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of my Department as part of a suite of business energy supports.

The scheme has been very successful in allowing businesses a rapid approval approach to reducing electricity costs and emissions. For the period 2023 to 2025, the scheme had a budget of €42 million. As at the end of 2025, €23.3m of this budget has been expended and an additional €22.5 million of commitments had been made through grant offers, indicating the full budgetary allocation is either spent or committed to be spent.

Budgetary allocations for individual schemes under the remit of the Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine are a matter for that Department.

In relation to NDMG, an annual allocation breakdown is provided in the table attached.

Allocation Breakdown