Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if it will be possible to provide grant aid to local community volunteer organisations to install solar power to provide energy to light public buildings of interest, with electricity presently being funded from fundraising by them (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68896/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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A range of supports for solar PV installations by homeowners, businesses and local community organisations is available through schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Since its launch, the amended Non Domestic Micro Generation scheme has proved an overwhelming success with grant support available for installations up to 1 MW. Further information is available at www.seai.ie.

Solar PV is also supported as one of a range of measures under the SEAI's Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme as part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme.

A record capital funding amount of €75 million has been allocated to the CEG Scheme for 2025. This represents an increase of 66% when compared to the 2024 allocation for the scheme and underlines the Government’s commitment to the programme.

The CEG scheme is designed to encourage and support home retrofit, as well as energy efficiency upgrades, including installation of renewable technologies in commercial, public, community and voluntary sector facilities. Partnership is essential for a successful community energy project with all projects demonstrating a community-oriented cross-sectoral approach.

Anyone with a project proposal for a CEG grant is advised by the SEAI to get in touch with a Project Coordinator. A Project Coordinator manages the entire process from project submission, grant application and delivery of contractor works. The SEAI has on its website further information on the CEG Scheme, as well as the contact details of Project Coordinators at www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/overview.