Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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678. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding or practical supports available for entrepreneurs looking to make EU wide patent applications for new technologies like renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45065/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Entrepreneurs seeking to protect intellectual property in new sustainable and renewable energy technologies in Ireland and the EU have a range of supports available to them. In addition to generalised support and mentorship provided to all Irish business, Enterprise Ireland offers targeted entrepreneurship programmes such as the New Frontiers programme as well as renewables-focused programmes such as the CREDIT Technology Gateway network co-funded by the European Union and the Irish Government. Enterprise Ireland also supports a nationwide network of Local Enterprise Offices in concert with Local Authorities. The National Enterprise Hub meanwhile provides a range of Irish Government enterprise supports such as grants, training programmes and expert advice from various governmental agencies. The Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) provides general advice and support to those seeking patent and other forms of intellectual property protection both in Ireland and in the EU. Specific supports for small and medium enterprises are available through the IPOI such as the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund - a grant scheme co-financed by the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) designed to help EU-based SMEs identify and secure intellectual property rights. The initiative is implemented by the EUIPO in coordination with the IPOI to support SMEs seeking to gain IP protections within the EU, and to help SMEs to shape their intellectual property strategy. Supports provided by the fund include reimbursement of costs associated with a pre-diagnostic service called an IP Scan up to a maximum of €1,350 as well as the provision of practical, objective and factual analysis of SME business models, products, services and growth plans to assist SMEs in achieving a more complete understanding of the value of IP for their business. The IP Scan in particular seeks to identify intellectual assets held by SMEs and possible IP protection options for those assets. Additional supports are also available in relation to discounts on national and EU patent fees.