Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
140. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of the staff to be funded for local authorities through his Department; when this funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59810/21]
View answerIn January 2018, the Department provided funding to the local authority sector to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) in recognition of the commitment by local government to develop and implement its own climate action measures, as well as the need to build capacity within the sector to respond and adapt to climate change. The CAROs work with local authorities in their respective regions to both facilitate and monitor implementation of local climate actions undertaken under local adaptation strategies, and the climate charter developed under the 2019 Climate Action Plan. The CAROs are operated by a lead local authority in each region (Mayo County Council, Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, and Kildare County Council respectively), and play an important role in ensuring that cross-sectoral issues are identified and addressed, and that communities are engaged. They also played a key role in coordinating the development of the local authority adaptation strategies, and ensuring their alignment with sectoral adaptation plans.
My Department is currently working with the CAROs, the EPA, and other stakeholders to develop appropriate guidelines for the preparation of local authority climate action plans as required under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development(Amendment) Act 2021. My Department engages with all four CAROs and stakeholders through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group.
Staffing issues are a matter for each CARO to consider in line with the budget available to them and the approved CARO business case. The CARO website is available at www.caro.ie
My Department is also funding the implementation of the new local authority climate action training programme. This programme is increasing knowledge of climate change, and the need for action by all local authorities in the areas of both climate mitigation and adaptation.
My Department is currently considering proposals for additional resources for the CAROs and for local authorities to support climate action.
