Green Plus

About this scheme

Green Plus, part of Údarás na Gaeltachta's 'Green' Supports, is designed to help businesses build environmental management capabilities and prepare for a greener, more sustainable future, in the context of new decarbonisation policy, rising energy costs, and shifting consumer expectations. It is open to almost all businesses, aside from a small, unspecified set of exceptions, and covers a broad range of eligible expenditure, from training and external environmental consultancy to part of the salary cost for staff working as part of the business's 'green team'. As part of the application process, businesses must provide their organisational carbon footprint using a recognised method such as the Climate Toolkit 4 Business Carbon Calculator, the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, or ISO 14064-1. The grant covers 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of €50,000, with projects typically lasting 12 months. As with other schemes, payment is made on receipt of a valid claim supported by documentation confirming that all grant conditions were met and approved expenditure was paid.

Who can apply

• Available to all businesses, with a small number of (unspecified) exceptions
• Business must be seeking to increase environmental management capabilities
• Eligible expenditure: training to build environmental management capabilities; implementing environmental best practice within the business; hiring an external environmental service provider; external training courses; licence costs for e-learning digital content used during the project; and part of the salary cost for up to 10 staff members working as part of the business's 'green team'
• Businesses must provide their organisational carbon footprint as part of the application process, via the Climate Toolkit 4 Business Carbon Calculator, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, ISO 14064-1 Standard, or similar
• Projects are typically 12 months in duration

How to apply

1. 1Contact the relevant Údarás na Gaeltachta regional office (Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford or Meath) for advice and support.
2. 2Complete a grant application form, available at www.udaras.ie or from any regional office.
3. 3Submit the completed application form to the appropriate regional office, including your organisational carbon footprint via the Climate Toolkit 4 Business Carbon Calculator, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, ISO 14064-1 Standard, or similar.
4. 4If approved, financial support applies from the date of issue of the Letter of Acknowledgement of receipt of application; grant aid cannot be approved retrospectively for expenditure incurred before this date.
5. 5As a condition of funding, implement a language plan to promote the use of Irish in the business.
6. 6Claim the grant by submitting a valid claim with supporting documentation confirming that all grant conditions were met and that all approved expenditure has been paid.