Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
165. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to introducing additional supports for small and medium enterprises to assist with the increased cost of doing business, which has been exacerbated by recent events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30449/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been a significant issue for firms in recent years, driven by wider inflationary pressures, particularly energy costs. The Government continues to actively monitor cost developments across all sectors of the economy.
Recent increases in fuel costs, arising from geopolitical developments, are impacting sectors to varying degrees, depending on their reliance on fuel and transport. The Government is conscious of the pressures this volatility is placing on businesses, particularly SMEs, and recognises the importance of reducing the exposure to such shocks. This underlines the need to accelerate the transition towards greater energy independence. Significant investment is being made in renewable energy, electricity grid infrastructure, and energy efficiency, with reducing reliance on fossil fuels central to improving resilience against current and future energy price shocks.
A range of measures is in place to support businesses in managing energy costs and improving efficiency. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a suite of supports aimed at reducing energy demand and costs. Through the “Easy Wins” campaign, businesses are being encouraged to adopt practical, low-cost measures with rapid payback, including energy management training and energy audits. Financial supports are available through Rapid Approval Grants, such as the Business Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant, as well as Tailored Support Grants including the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, the Community Energy Grant, and supports for excellence in energy-efficient design.
In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme provides long-term, low-cost financing to SMEs and small mid-caps, including those in agriculture and related sectors, with loans ranging from €25,000 to €3 million over terms of up to 10 years, including unsecured lending of up to €500,000. The Government has also allocated €300 million in Environmental Aid to support decarbonisation among large industrial firms supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. As of January 2026, 41 projects with a combined value of €154 million have been approved across sectors such as manufacturing, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, supporting reductions in energy use and enhancing competitiveness.
More broadly, the Government is addressing business costs through the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, published in September 2025, which sets out 85 actions across six themes to strengthen national competitiveness. In parallel, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum has been established to bring together stakeholders across sectors to identify cost pressures and consider practical measures to address them. The final report, informed by extensive stakeholder input and cross government collaboration is expected to be presented to Government before the summer recess and it will play a key role in shaping future approaches to supporting a competitive, resilient, and sustainable enterprise environment.
