Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
113. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the financial supports, compensation schemes, tax relief measures, or emergency assistance available to business owners who have experienced a loss of revenue as a result of repeated power outages or electricity supply disruptions; and if he will outline the supports currently available to affected businesses. [37972/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise that electricity supply disruptions can present operational challenges for affected businesses. In general, such issues are considered commercial matters between businesses and their electricity suppliers, and businesses may also address these risks through appropriate insurance cover and contingency planning.
Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of measures which continue to help to reduce the exposure of Irish businesses to fossil fuel price shocks through improved energy efficiency, supporting fuel switching, and accelerating the transition to low-carbon, indigenous energy sources. Information on some of the available supports and measures that can assist businesses in reducing their energy use and costs has recently been published by my Department at www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/reduce-energy-use.html
In addition to the above, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland provides a range of supports that directly assist businesses in managing energy costs. Through the Support Scheme for Energy Audits, Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and the Non-Domestic Micro-Gen Grant businesses can avail of grant support to identify inefficiencies, cost-saving opportunities, transition away from fossil fuels and generate electricity on site.
My Department, together with the enterprise agencies, maintains regular and structured engagement with energy-intensive sectors to assess cost pressures, investment risks and competitiveness concerns. This engagement informs policy development and ensures that climate and energy measures are implemented in a way that supports economic resilience. The Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) published by my Department in January 2026 is a further significant Government initiative that will support the future development and competitiveness of strategic energy intensive industry in Ireland. This will take place through targeted measures that address costly infrastructure barriers currently impacting energy intensive industry, and enabling the co-location of industry with the supply of indigenous renewables within green energy parks.
It should also be recognised that the Government is progressing significant investment in Ireland’s energy infrastructure and transition to a more secure and sustainable energy system, with a focus on strengthening network resilience, increasing renewable generation capacity, and enhancing security of supply, which will benefit businesses and the wider economy over the medium to long term.
