Useful information about eligibility

• Who can apply?
  Viable micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those involved in primary agriculture and fishing, that meet the eligibility criteria

   

  SMEs are defined by the standard EU definition contained in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC as enterprises that:
   

  • have fewer than 250 employees;
  • have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million;
  • are independent and autonomous, i.e. not part of a wider group of enterprises;
  • have less than 25% of their capital held by public bodies;
  • is established and operating in the Republic of Ireland.
  • For an extensive definition of qualifying enterprises, please check the SBCI website
• Who cannot apply?
  An SME that:
   

  • does not meet the eligibility criteria;
  • is bankrupt or being wound up or having its affairs administered by courts;
  • is subject to, or fulfil the criteria under domestic law for being placed in, collective insolvency proceedings;
  • in the last five years has entered into an arrangement in the context of being bankrupt or wound up or having its affairs administered by courts;
  • has a substantial focus in one or more of the Excluded Activities or Restricted Sectors;
  • has been convicted of an offence or subject to a ruling concerning professional conduct, fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or any other illegal activity where such illegal activity is detrimental to the EU’s financial interest.

   

  For a full list of eligibility criteria click here.

   

  Excluded Activities

   

  Loans will not be provided to SMEs with a business focus on one or more restricted sectors, including:

   

  • the production of and trade in tobacco and distilled alcoholic beverages and related products
  • casinos and equivalent enterprises
  • the financing of, the production of, and the trade in weapons and ammunition of any kind. This restriction does not apply to the extent that such activities are part of or accessory to explicit EU policies, or
  • the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) - but EV infrastructure is eligible for funding.

   

  For an expanded list of excluded activities please check the SBCI Website

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• Eligibility criteria
  To be eligible for finance, applicants must meet the Scheme’s eligibility criteria and the energy efficiency asset must be listed on the SEAI Triple E Register for Products.

   

  While included on the Triple E Register for Products, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are not eligible assets for funding under the SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme. However, EV charging points are eligible for funding.

   

  For an expanded list of eligibility criteria, please check the SBCI Website.
• How to apply
  • Review the eligibility criteria to assess if your business is eligible for finance under the SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme.
  • Check the SEAI’s Triple E Register for eligible products.
  • Complete the Eligibility Application form and send it to the SBCI – online form and full details can be found on the SBCI Website.
  • Eligible SMEs will receive a confirmation letter from the SBCI with a reference number (which is valid for 6 months)
  • Contact your RM or call our Direct Business Advisors on 0818-478 833 (Monday- Friday 9am -5pm) with your SBCI reference number to begin your credit application.

   

  Note: Confirmation of scheme eligibility does not guarantee credit approval. Customers will be required to submit a standard business loan application to us.
• State aid
  Loan amounts and terms are dependent upon State Aid thresholds.

   

  SMEs in sectors other than fishery and aquaculture are subject to De Minimis State Aid thresholds, provided such aid does not exceed €200,000 in any 3-year fiscal period.

   

  For SMEs in the fishery and aquaculture sector, De Minimis Aid is State aid given to an enterprise which cannot exceed €30,000 over any three-rolling fiscal-year period. SMEs in the Primary Agriculture sector are subject to Art. 14 of the EU Commission “Agriculture Block Exemption Regulation” (ABER) thresholds, provided such aid for investments in tangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production does not exceed €500,000 per undertaking per investment project.

   

  Borrowing under EELS will give rise to State Aid benefit, and hence there may be a restriction on the amount of scheme funding/loan term that can be availed of by the borrower.

  It is important to note that the State Aid is not the amount of the loan.

   

  For the complete text on State aid rules, please check the SBCI website.