Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
14. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to help the SME sector cope with increased energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30046/26]
View answerThe escalation of conflict in the Middle East has created an energy shock, introducing significant uncertainty into global energy markets. It is directly impacting Irish households and businesses in terms of cost and affordability.
Disruption to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside heightened risk to regional oil and gas infrastructure, has placed upward pressure on wholesale energy prices at a time when the cost and affordability of energy remain a serious challenge.
The Government has taken, and is continuing to take, actions to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy. At this point, the €750 million intervention by the Irish Government is one of the more significant in the EU. This package was announced following significant engagement with industry representatives.
A cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was established last June to identify and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the NEAT, published last November, helped to inform key aspects of Budget 2026. The NEAT is now preparing an Energy Affordability Action Plan that will be completed in Q3 of this year. As part of this process we are engaging with business groups to identify the most impacted businesses and to help them to take action.
These additional considerations are alongside a range of permanent supports that are available, many of which I have expanded or enhanced in my term of office. My Department offers a range of grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) of Ireland which are focused on supporting the SME sector to become more energy efficient. Over € 83.5m has been delivered to businesses across Ireland in SEAI grants in 2024 and 2025. That is over 7,000 businesses receiving grant support for solar PV, heat pumps, energy efficient equipment, commercial EV fleets, projects delivered in partnership with local communities and clean heat technology. As I have already indicated, take up of these schemes is growing, and I have ensured that there is funding available to meet this demand.
Through the recently launched ‘Easy Wins’ campaign, the SEAI on behalf of my Department is emphasising accessible, SME-tailored supports that help businesses to adopt approaches and technologies, many of which are low-cost and rapid-payback, and that businesses can implement immediately to reduce energy demand and exposure to price shocks. These schemes include free energy management training and audits as well as very rapid approval grants.
These supports, in combination with immediate tips and advice delivered through multiple channels, allow businesses to develop strategies and understand common approaches to manage and conserve energy without making major investments. These strategies can range from changing of setpoints for heating and cooling, to installation of timeclocks and energy monitors.
The Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) - this provides support to fully cover the costs of a typical energy audit. The scheme enables businesses to rapidly identify energy saving measures, giving them a roadmap to save money, including no and low-cost steps that can be taken immediately. It is open to all public and private sector organisations that are not already required to carry out an energy audit under the Energy Efficiency Directive. In 2025 there were 1,550 Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) vouchers redeemed. This equates to 4m support provided to businesses.
The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme (BEUS) - this has been designed for greater accessibility to support small and medium enterprises in Ireland – it can give grant approval for a range of ‘off the shelf’ supports in as little as 15 minutes. This scheme is open to all businesses, public sectors bodies, societies and charities and has been growing rapidly since I launched it last year. In 2025,182 applications were approved with total offers in excess of €3.4million and a total number of 314 measures. In 2026, up to 31st March, there has been a large volume of draft applications (over 1200) to the scheme. 214 applications have been approved with a total offers in excess of €3.8million and
The Non-Domestic Microgen Schemeprovides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €162,600 for installations of up to 1000kWp. From launch in 2022 to May 2026 this scheme has supported 2,791 installations totalling over €30m. There are over 1,400 applications in progress for this scheme, showing that demand is accelerating.
The Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme – this is the longest standing scheme that supports business -it provides grant support for cross-sectoral projects, supporting new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities. The CEG Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings, including insulation, heat pump systems, solar PV, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades.
There is also a range of supports available through the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and its agencies, to help businesses reduce energy consumption and operating costs. The Energy Efficiency Grant, available through the Local Enterprise Offices, offers 75% of project costs up to a maximum amount of €10,000 and is open to all small businesses with up to 50 employees. This is a great way for businesses to begin their energy efficiency journey
678 businesses invested with the help of the energy efficiency grant in 2025 with more than €5.7m in support committed to these projects. Enterprise Ireland's Climate Action Voucher offers up to €1,800 to fund two days of independent consultancy to help companies to identify and act on energy-saving opportunities. 223 vouchers were approved in 2025.
Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland clients in the manufacturing sector can avail of the €300m environmental aid fund which supports investments in energy efficiency and decarbonisation in Ireland’s manufacturing sectors.
