Minister of Transport Eamon Ryan (Evan Treacy/PA)
Fianna Fáil has accused Environment Minister Eamon Ryan of failing to sign off on a €50 million business retrofit grant, first announced two years ago.
A new non-domestic retrofit scheme was announced in October 2022 as part of Budget 2023, which is aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises retrofit their businesses and improve energy efficiency.
Funding of €50 million from the Climate Action Fund was allocated for the grant and is expected to benefit businesses in retail and hospitality particularly.
This new scheme will allow businesses to avail of the grant for building related expenses including insulation, heat pumps, ventilation and solar thermal.
Called the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme, the SEAI was required to conduct a final business case for the grant which is understood to have started at the end of 2023.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Climate Change Christopher O’Sullivan accused Minister Ryan of “dragging his heels” on approving the grant and said it was unacceptable that the grant has not been signed off.
“Budget 2023 committed the €50 million fund from the Climate Action Fund for a range of measures such as solar thermal for hot water and heat pumps. It was designed to provide supports to pubs, restaurants and retail.
“But the funding announced in October 2022 – two years ago – under Budget 2023 has yet to be signed off by Minister Ryan. It’s been sitting on the Minister’s desk for signing for some time now awaiting sign off,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
However, a spokesperson for Minister Ryan said the accusation of a delay “is nonsense”.
The TD said it was his understanding that the SEAI has completed its work on the scheme.
“The SEAI have been engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications for some time now. The scheme is ready to go but the Minister is dragging his heels,” Deputy O’Sullivan said.
While Mr O’Sullivan said “at present” the SEAI’s work on the scheme had “gone to waste”, it is understood that the scheme is progressing and will be launched soon.
An application system was also developed by the SEAI for the scheme. It is understood if businesses have already applied for grants through the SEAI, they will be able to open their account and view the new supports available and apply quickly.
