Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
87. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if funding to local authorities will be ring-fenced for the employment of key climate action staff on county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25150/20]
View answerIn January 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) - Atlantic Seaboard South; Atlantic Seaboard North; Dublin Metropolitan; and Eastern and Midlands. Under the National Adaptation Framework, each Local Authority developed an adaptation strategy. These strategies are now being implemented, and each CARO is working with the Local Authorities in its region to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the local climate adaptation actions within the strategies.
The Climate Action Bill, which I intend to publish shortly, further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce its own Climate Action Plan (covering both mitigation and adaptation) on the request of the Minister for Climate Action, within eighteen months of the enactment of the Bill, and then subsequently at least once every five years. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans.
To build the necessary capacity, my Department is engaging with the CAROs in relation to the development and implementation of a new Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme will increase knowledge of climate change and action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level.
While decisions on staffing are a matter for each individual Local Authority to consider within their allocated funding, it will be important that they have the capacity and expertise to support the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society and economy.
