Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
139. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding distributed under the EPA green enterprise innovation for a circular economy programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23296/21]
View answer140. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of funding provided to business through the July stimulus under the green enterprise fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23297/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
One of the programmes carried out by the EPA is the Green Enterprise programme. This is a flagship initiative of the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP). The NWPP is a Government of Ireland initiative which aims to enhance competitiveness and reduce business costs by stimulating resource efficiency within the circular economy. The NWPP is structured around three pillars:
- innovation and demonstration;
- programme delivery through strategic partnerships; and
- advocacy and communication.
Green Enterprise - Innovation for a Circular Economy is part of the Innovation and Demonstration Pillar of the NWPP and is an annual funding programme. This fund is specific to the policy area of the circular economy and aims to develop innovative practical applications and solutions (in new/altered products, processes, services or solutions) that prevent waste and stimulate the circular economy. Funding is provided to projects in the areas of resource efficiency, clean technology, engagement, and behaviour change - from research stage to demonstration and commercial (or community) application. For 2020, the priority areas were: plastics, construction and demolition waste, food waste, and resources and raw materials (electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, and furniture).
The Green Enterprise model is a co-funding arrangement with the EPA’s contribution less than or equal to €100,000 per project. Details on last year’s call are available to the EPA website at: https://www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/research/epafunding/greenenterprise/
The Green Enterprise projects are summarised annually in the EPA National Waste Prevention Programme reports at: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/waste/prevention/reports/ and details on recently completed and ongoing projects are available at: http://www.epa.ie/waste/nwpp/greenenterpriseprojects/
The EPA currently has plans to hold a 2021 call for Green Enterprise projects to be launched in the coming weeks. In this regard, the EPA has allocated €625,000 to new Green Enterprise projects which includes €250,000 to meet expected commitments arising in 2021, with the remainder (€375,000) for commitments arising in future years. Depending on the response the 2021 call, this funding envelope should support approximately 7 to 10 new projects.
The EPA was not been granted any specific budget under the July Stimulus package to add to its existing business support Green Enterprise budget for 2021.
