Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans regarding supports for SMEs that are seeking to significantly reduce energy consumption; if any capital grant funding proposals for permanent alterations to premises are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/22]
View answerCommitments under the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy Security Framework (NESF) specifically target the need to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial building stock and work is already underway in developing a commercial retrofit support scheme for high impact measures, specifically aimed at SMEs. In that context, at a European level, proposed revisions to the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) are under negotiation and will be relevant in the development of the final scheme. A fundamental objective of the scheme under development will be to establish practical engagement and to eliminate the potential fallow periods that appear between the education (SEAI Energy Academy), analysis and auditing delivered through the SEAI, and the actual investment in retrofit works. The key aim of the scheme will be to work in combination with the existing SEAI Business Supports programmes to provide: A clear and tailored pathway for SMEs to support retrofit activity;
Further technical support to facilitate a bespoke retrofit plan for their buildings;
Targeted capital support for existing buildings to reduce energy demand; and
Targeted capital support for retrofit measures. It is intended that the scheme will commence in 2023.
