Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for small businesses that are still struggling with high energy costs; if additional supports will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37776/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has brought forward a substantial range of measures to reduce costs and enhance support for small businesses. This includes changes to the Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant.

The Energy Efficient Grant (EEG) supports capital investment by businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes identified through a Green for Business or SEAI Energy Audit.

As part of the recent SME Package, the maximum amount available under the Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme has been increased. Any business with up to 50 employees, who has completed one of the named prerequisite consultancy or audit programmes is eligible for the EEG. The grant now offers 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of €10,000. These improved conditions are available since 12^th July.

The EEG can fund practical measures to help a business reduce their long term energy costs including upgrading to LED lighting, replacing heat pumps, and upgrading refrigeration units, ovens and dishwashers. The EEG can also fund heat recovery and smart energy controls among other steps.

Any businesses interested in applying for this scheme or any of the many other business supports should contact their Local Enterprise Office for further information, as the LEOs are best placed to advise regarding eligibility.

To further assist small business with the increased cost of business my Department launched the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme in March this year. To date over 81,000 businesses have benefited from the scheme with a total to date of €240 million paid to businesses.

Furthermore, the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) which I launched in July, provides business owners with a centralised signposting service for over 180 Government supports in areas such as decarbonisation, digitalisation, skills development and innovation.

The NEH includes access to a team of expert advisors through a dedicated phone line, live chat and email. These advisors will help to diagnose the needs of the individual business, directing them to the appropriate available supports or indeed put them in direct contact with the relevant agency.