244. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he will review the current SEAI grant supports for rooftop solar installations with a view to introducing multi-year funding certainty and increasing grant levels for larger rooftop projects, particularly on farm buildings, warehouses, shopping centres and supermarkets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59062/26]

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 in supports already provided by the Irish Government in response to the war in the Middle East 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 June 2025 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 since becoming Minister. My Department offers a range of grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which are focused on supporting the SME sector to become more energy efficient. Over €83.5m has been awarded to businesses across Ireland in SEAI grants in 2024 and 2025, with 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 energy-saving approaches and technologies, many of which are low-cost with quick 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 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.

The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme has been designed for greater accessibility to support small and medium enterprises in Ireland and 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.

The Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme provides 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 its 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 is the longest standing scheme that supports business and 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.

Farmers who wish to set up a solar or wind project where all energy is exported to the grid are supported via the Small-scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). The SRESS export tariff is designed for farmer, community and SME export only projects above 50kW and up to 6MW. The SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. Farmers can apply to SRESS in one of two ways—on their own (on the same basis as SMEs) or as members of Renewable Energy Communities. Farmers who wish to establish an export project greater than the SRESS limit of 6MW can participate in the utility scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction.