I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 49 together.
The transition to a low carbon and circular economy and achievement of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 across all sectors of the economy represents a whole-of-society challenge. Enterprise, along with all other sectors, must fundamentally change to adapt to this challenge and realise the many opportunities that this transformation represents.
Transforming the sustainability of Irish enterprise is key to competitiveness in the future. Changes in the regulatory environment, including the EU’s Sustainable Financial Disclosure requirement, will also have a significant impact on the funding environment for companies. Helping enterprise to engage with, adapt to, and realise opportunities from the low carbon transition, will be critical to the long-term, sustainable growth of Irish enterprise.
For Enterprise Ireland, the requirement for business to respond to these changes will result in us changing our approach to company development. Over the course of this strategy period, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices will work with businesses to embed climate action as a strategic business priority, assisting enterprise activities to reduce emissions, and contribute to achieving Ireland’s 2030 climate action targets.
The transition to a low carbon and circular economy represents a clear market opportunity for many Irish companies, both established and start-ups, in areas including testing, regulations and consultancy, driven by the fundamental policy, regulatory and market changes occurring across Europe and all export markets.
Enterprise Ireland will assist start-ups and established companies to maximise the opportunities presented by the low carbon transition, including those adapting their products/services for new growth sectors, and the development of client groups/networks in areas such as clean-tech, energy efficiency and off-shore wind.
The Climate Toolkit 4 Business does not allocate funding directly but rather is a carbon calculator which provides tailored action plans to businesses that points them toward appropriate existing resources. The project is part funded by Public Service Innovation Fund (PSIF) and the Department of Environment Climate and Communications. To date, the Department has paid €90,317.57 for the design, build and hosting of the Toolkit. Of this, €50,000 was recouped from the PSIF, and a further €19,806.08 was contributed by the Department of Environment Climate and Communications.
Enterprise Ireland have funded the referenced projects as per the table below.
2023
|
Client Offer
|
No. Projects Approved
|
Approval €
|
Payment €
|
|
Green Start
|
<5
|
20,000.00
|
|
|
Climate Action Voucher
|
<5
|
5,400.00
|
|
|
Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund EMTS
|
<5
|
12,304.00
|
|
2022
|
Client Offer
|
No. Projects Approved
|
Approval €
|
Payment €
|
|
Green Start
|
72
|
360,000
|
81,878
|
|
GreenPlus
|
18
|
688,413
|
|
|
Climate Action Voucher
|
48
|
86,400
|
32,400
|
|
Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund - EMTS
|
<5
|
84,851
|
|
|
Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund - CID
|
<5
|
309,000
|
|
|
Exploring Innovation*
|
<5
|
325,968
|
|
|
Strategic Consultancy Assignment*
|
<5
|
72,250
|
|
|
R&D Fund*
|
<5
|
128,781
|
|
2021
|
Client Offer
|
No. Projects Approved
|
Approval €
|
Payment €
|
|
Green Start
|
41
|
205,000
|
121,850
|
|
GreenPlus
|
12
|
509,580
|
115,483
|
|
Climate Action Voucher
|
82
|
147,600
|
85,988
|
