Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ministers Burke and Archibald announce awards under the €20m Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme

Image caption: Pictured (l-r) Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD. 

The Taoiseach and Ministers Burke and Archibald have today announced six successful projects under the €20m Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme.

The grants will support firms across the island of Ireland in taking forward capital projects that integrate sustainable technologies to decarbonise industrial operations.

Funded by the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant is part of the €30 million Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

Of the €30 million a total €20 million is allocated to the Sustainability Capital Grant, with €10 million available in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is leveraging over €63.5m in private sector funding for capital investment for decarbonisation.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “I warmly welcome the deepening collaboration by enterprise agencies North and South, through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant scheme.

“There is so much to be gained from island-wide cooperation in working to meet our common climate goals and the Government is pleased to support the Sustainability Capital Grants scheme with a total of €20m through our Shared Island Fund.

“Each of the six projects announced today will combine public and private funding to introduce innovative solutions and technology to decarbonise industrial processes and support sustainable growth and jobs across the island of Ireland.”

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said: “I am delighted to announce that six very worthy and innovative projects have been approved for the Sustainability Capital Grant, supported through the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme funded by the Government of Ireland. These disruptive and diverse projects, spread across the island of Ireland, will ensure that enterprises are well placed to capitalise on emerging and growth sectors while delivering on net zero commitments, decarbonisation and digital transformation.

“This government will continue to advance our Shared Island investment priorities, working in all-island partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive to co-fund and co-deliver investment that creates a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities.”

Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “I welcome this milestone in the delivery of the successful Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant. The scheme supports the priorities in my economic vision of increasing productivity and decarbonising the economy by investing in innovation. The work that Invest NI, InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland are doing through this scheme is accelerating investment in a sector with huge economic potential across the island, helping us to develop a globally competitive and sustainable economy.”

The scheme aligns with each administration’s Programme for Government, placing a focus on cross-border cooperation to support economic growth, innovation and decarbonisation. 

The three companies that have been approved for support in Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are:

• Aurivo – installation of a new innovative technology, a first for the dairy processing sector, and a significant opportunity for the decarbonisation of high temperature processes.
• Ecocem - integrates recycled crushed glass to be co-grinded with ground granulated blast furnace slag to create a high-performance, low carbon cement product.
• Gannon Eco - scaling up an industrial process from lab scale that will treat, recover, and recycle previously untreatable hazardous acid waste.

The three companies which have been offered support in Northern Ireland under the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme are: 

• O&S Doors – investing in renewable heat and energy.
• Capper Trading – creation of a renewable energy hub.
• Cemcor – low carbon cement development.

Jenny Melia, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland said, “A key goal for Enterprise Ireland is to support companies to make the transition to the low-carbon, resource-efficient economy of the future and innovative solutions put forward by these six successful projects support this critical agenda. Together with our Shared Island partners, InterTradeIreland and Invest NI, I would like to congratulate all six projects, and we look forward to seeing their innovations come to life, providing impactful solutions to address global challenges through the support of the Shared Island Capital Grant Scheme.”  

Kieran Donoghue, Chief Executive of Invest NI said: “The Shared Island Capital Grant is a strong example of how collaboration across the island can drive real economic impact. The six projects supported through this grant will accelerate decarbonisation and bring wider benefits to the island through increased use of renewable energy and innovations that will improve the sustainability profile of company operations. I look forward to visiting the three projects in Northern Ireland in the new year.”

Margaret Hearty, Chief Executive of InterTradeIreland said: “Decarbonisation and sustainability are key government priorities across the island and are becoming increasingly important for public sector procurement and island-wide supply chains. 

“The support offered through the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant will assist businesses in developing innovative solutions that will enable them to progress their transition to net zero, and ultimately increase their awareness, knowledge and capability in this area. We look forward to seeing how the successful projects progress and the innovative solutions that will deliver both commercial and environmental benefits across the island."

More detail on the six projects which have received funding from the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant will be announced in the new year. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland connects business to opportunities across the island.  We can connect you to customers, suppliers, innovators, experts, networks and investors across the island to grow your business. We also identify opportunities for North-South collaboration that accelerate economic growth and help deliver shared policy priorities.

With over 25 years’ experience of working alongside businesses of every size in every county on the island of Ireland, InterTradeIreland’s trade, innovation and entrepreneurship pathways help businesses to access funding, advice, expertise, and connections across the island to maximise their exports, productivity and growth. 

www.intertradeireland.com

About Invest Northern Ireland

Invest Northern Ireland’s ambition is to create wealth for the whole community; we will drive a regionally balanced, productive, sustainable and prosperous Northern Ireland economy by unlocking the potential of businesses across the region.

We work with businesses to accelerate their growth by increasing external sales and innovation, creating good quality jobs, boosting productivity and skills, growing inward investment and reducing carbon emissions. We also attract high-quality inward investment and support sectors that offer high returns for the local economy.

We work closely with our stakeholders to maximise the benefits of City and Growth Deal projects which will bolster our economic performance.

www.investni.com

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish Government agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, compete, scale and connect and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development and help create and sustain employment in Ireland.

www.enterprise-ireland.com

About The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

In February 2024 the Government of Ireland announced an allocation of €30m from the Shared Island Fund towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The scheme is supporting the delivery of new programmes and supports for businesses across the island of Ireland in the areas of Women’s Entrepreneurship, Clustering and Sustainable Enterprise. The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme marks a new phase in all-island economic collaboration and business growth and the first time that three of the main economic development agencies on the island of Ireland have worked together on a shared scheme of this size.