Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
70. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the transfer of Brexit adjustment reserve funding to the REPowerEU fund; if he will confirm whether the funding will be ring-fenced for agricultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25140/23]
View answer256. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how he envisages spending the €150 million of Brexit adjustment reserve funding his Department has transferred to the RePowerEU initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31317/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 256 together.
REPowerEU is the EU’s plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, boost the independence and security of the Union’s energy supply and accelerate the green transition. In practical terms, REPowerEU will be financed via the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This facility is a performance based instrument and is contingent on the delivery of milestones and targets. Ireland’s allocation in grants under REPowerEU is worth circa €90m. In addition, the Government agreed to request a transfer of €150 million from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) to the REPowerEU programme, bringing the total amount available to €240 million. A further transfer request from BAR to REPowerEU is currently being considered by the Commission.
To access this funding, Member States, including Ireland, will be required to amend their National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRP) and add a specific chapter to outline the key investments and reforms to help achieve the REPowerEU objectives. A key consideration for projects proposed is timely deliverability as failure to deliver on the agreed milestones and targets will directly impact drawdown of the allocated monies. Proposals must be in a position to deliver within the RRF timeline and meet the stringent management, reporting, audit and verification requirements. My Department has commenced informal discussions with the Commission and is engaging with Departments on potential proposals including from the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communication, Education, Transport, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the OPW. Following this engagement, I will bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval for the proposed REPowerEU programme to be negotiated and agreed with the European Commission.
