Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

A key priority for the Government within our competitiveness plan is to engage with the Department of energy, climate and environment to ensure we can drive down the cost of energy, not just for residential consumers, but for businesses to ensure they remain viable.

It is probably one of the most important areas we can focus on and currently are focused on. We are providing grants to small businesses around emissions and ensuring that they have access to grants to support their transition to more carbon-efficient and green initiatives.

This is an important energy grant scheme. The 200 applications demonstrate there is a confidence and commitment from businesses to engage in this process. We have also previously seen many businesses invest in new refrigeration units, and I know that was supported through our Department. We will continue on that trajectory. A timeline regarding the applications is with the SEAI, which administers the scheme. I can get that to the Deputy.

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