Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if energy grants are available for the development of a derelict site to set up a new business in a premises in the town centre of Thurles, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5445/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, provides both financial and non-financial support to companies to help them incorporate sustainable and lean practices.

A range of such energy related financial assistance provided by Enterprise Ireland includes:

GreenStart

The GreenStart programme, administered by Enterprise Ireland, is designed for existing SMEs only. It aims to increase the level of environmental awareness relating to regulatory compliance and helps with the development of a basic management system in companies which do not have in-house expertise or have conducted limited environmental activities to date.

GreenPlus Assignments

Under Enterprise Ireland’s Business Process Improvement Grants, client companies can apply for funding towards the cost of undertaking a GreenPlus Assignment. Assignments are designed to assist company managers to develop a high level of environmental management capabilities, drive environmental efficiencies and achieve improved sustainability.

Environmental Aid Scheme

My Department enables Enterprise Ireland to support capital projects under the Environmental Aid Scheme. These projects are supported to improve energy efficiency; to promote the uptake of energy from renewable sources and to encourage the carrying out of environmental studies.

There are also a number of non-financial supports provided through our Agencies including:

Lean Business Ireland

Enterprise Ireland manages an environmental information portal at www.leanbusinessireland.ie designed to enhance environmental awareness and improve performance in Irish industry.

The Local Enterprise Offices have established pilot programmes such as the Going Green Project, the Green for Micro Project and the Lower Carbon Lower Cost Initiative run by various LEOs in 2020.

In the first Quarter of 2021, the Local Enterprise Offices are planning to launch a National Green for Micro initiative to help micro-enterprises incorporate sustainable practices into the day-to-day running of their businesses and to assist them in transitioning to a low carbon economy.

In addition, there are a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy supports available to businesses via the ‘Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’ (SEAI) including:

The SEAI Energy Academy is a new online resource that gives businesses free access to high quality energy training. The Energy Academy was launched in April 2019. Information and advisory services to businesses including briefings, workshops, workplace resources, access to energy auditing services and case studies of best practice.

Project Assistance Grants are provided to businesses with large energy expenditure to help fund the development of feasibly studies and business cases for energy performance improvements.  Accelerated Capital Allowances allow businesses to reduce their taxable profits by the full level of expenditure on energy efficient equipment in the year the investment is made.  Funding is also provided to businesses that undertake design, construct and commission projects that use the Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) certification process.

The Communities Energy Grant Scheme (previously known as the Better Energy Communities Scheme) funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area (homes, community facilities and businesses).

Details of all SEAI business supports can be found on the SEAI website (www.seai.ie).