Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
94. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the breakdown of spending under the Community Benefit Fund in local communities this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40669/21]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the principal government support vehicle to deliver on Ireland’s 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 and it includes provisions for community participation and benefit. All projects successful in a RESS auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund and the contribution for each project is set at €2 per Megawatt-hour. For the first RESS auction alone this means almost €4 million being made available annually for the benefit of the local community. These funds will be aligned to incentivise investment in local renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate action initiatives in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as other worthy local causes. It is anticipated that the first RESS projects will commence operation by the end of this year following which communities can look forward to receiving project dividends in their areas.
Earlier this month my Department published the RESS Community Benefit Fund Good Practice Principles Handbook which lays out how the new funds will be managed and administered and the need to ensure community participation in fund decision-making via the establishment of a local committee.
In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) activated the Community Benefit Fund National Register. This register will track all projects and payments made over the lifetimes of the Community Benefit Funds and it will be publicly available. This will provide clarity and transparency as to how Community Benefit Funds are being allocated in communities across the country.
Information in relation to existing community benefit funds is not available in my Department. I understand, however, that Wind Energy Ireland publishes details of pre-existing community benefit funds annually.
