Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address the matter of grants for energy support for a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58250/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Communities Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme and is aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 17 contracts with a grant value of over €42 million have been issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and a further 7 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023.

Charities and not-for-profit run facilities may be eligible for 50% funding, subject to prior agreement with the SEAI Communities team. This is on the basis that they are not regarded as economic undertakings under State aid rules. The Community Energy Grant guidelines can be found here: www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/project-criteria-and-funding/Communities-Grant-Guidelines-2022.pdf

The Community Energy Grant Scheme is open and accepting applications to participate in the current call. It may be helpful for the organisation to discuss the specifics of their project with the Community Energy Grant scheme team directly to establish if they are eligible for grant support at www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/, on 1850 927 000 or by e-mail at bec@seai.ie.