1022. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the sectors targeted with the €300 million Irish state aid scheme for temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies approved by the European Commission on 16 July 2026 (details supplied). [56994/26]

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission approved a €300 million Irish scheme to provide temporary electricity price relief to energy-intensive companies in line with the objectives of the EU Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme will operate from 4 July 2025 until 31 December 2029.

The scheme is designed to support eligible energy-intensive businesses by compensating them for a portion of their electricity costs for a period of up to three years. It will be available to companies operating in sectors which are considered to be at significant risk of moving outside the EU to locations where environmental measures are absent or less rigorous. Annex 1 of the EU's Climate, Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines( CEEAG) contains the official list of energy-intensive sectors eligible for support under such a scheme.

The European Commission’s approval for the scheme represents an important step in supporting Ireland's industrial competitiveness while advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy. The scheme provides an approved framework for assisting energy-intensive industries, enabling support for investment in renewable energy and reducing emissions while supporting progress towards Ireland's 2030 climate and energy objectives.