Darren O'Rourke
Question:104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount currently in the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40629/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (104, 105, 106)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:105. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of the projects that have received funding from the Climate Action Fund to date in 2022; the amount of funding awarded to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40630/22]
View answerDarren O'Rourke
Question:106. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria for the funding to be allocated to projects from the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40631/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 to 106, inclusive, together.
The Climate Action Fund (CAF) was established under section 37B of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Act 2020 (the Act). The purpose of the CAF is to provide financial support to projects which will help Ireland achieve its climate and energy targets. The CAF will provide at least €500 million in Government funding up to 2027 towards this objective, and will allow for the development of innovative initiatives which, without this support, may not otherwise be possible to accomplish. My Department is responsible for the Fund's implementation.
€139 million has been committed in total from the Fund for a range of projects, including in relation to district heating, EV infrastructure, creative climate action, co-financing for EU LIFE projects, and a Community Climate Action Programme. The current balance in the CAF is just under €138.7 million.
To date in 2022, the following projects have received funding in the amounts specified from the CAF:
- Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS)* - €4,453,000
- ESB E-Cars - €542,000.
*Initially, funding was secured from the Climate Action Fund to the value of €108 million. However, this will be reimbursed from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility on completion of agreed milestones.
Section 37B(9) of the Act sets out the types of projects and initiatives that may be funded by the CAF, including
projects that seek to reduce, or support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the State; projects that seek to increase the production, or use, of renewable energy in the State; projects that seek to improve energy efficiency in the State; and projects and initiatives in regions in the State and within sectors of the economy impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 104.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 104.