Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 July 2025
164. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment given that the new construction at Killarney Innovation Centre will employ green technologies, including energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, the way in which the Government plans to support similar eco-friendly building practices in innovation centres across Ireland as part of its national sustainability goals. [40910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Killarney Innovation Centre (KTI) is under the remit of Kerry County Council. The role of building regulations in the deployment of green technologies, including energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
My Department can provide support to local authorities seeking to retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency through a number of schemes including: the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme, which provides grant support for building fabric and heating/cooling upgrades, as well as the Non Domestic Microgen Scheme.
The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme was opened in November 2024, with a publicity campaign launched in April 2025. This scheme can provide substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings. The scheme is open to all businesses and public bodies who are upgrading a building they own or occupy. It offers access to rapid approval of grant funding for a range of retrofit measures for commercial buildings such as hotels, offices, retail premises and restaurants.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations through grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22 September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises such as regional innovation centres, for installations up to 6kW. An extended funding range from €2,700 to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes between 7 kWp and 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis to the end of 2023. This includes cohorts typically covered under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
For larger energy users in the public sector, the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme administered by the SEAI can provide up to 50% funding for retrofit projects. Pathfinder supports public facilities through both the deployment of renewable energy such as biomass and solar on site, and the electrification of heating and cooling, which also supports the transition to renewable energy as we decarbonise the grid.
The above support schemes are kept under regular review to ensure their effectiveness.
There are a broader range of enterprise supports available that assist businesses with energy and climate initiatives, with funding from a variety of sources (not just the SEAI). Further information on the broader supports can be found on the “Climate Toolkit for Business” website: www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.
