Written Answers Nos. 141-162
141. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if service providers can be mandated to put the €200 against forthcoming direct debits and not withheld from a customer’s benefit in the short-term in relation to the electricity credit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12464/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe President signed the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill into law on 4 March, which paves the way for a payment of €176.22 (€200 inclusive of VAT) to be credited to all domestic electricity accounts. This is almost a doubling of what was originally envisaged, in recognition of pressures on households due to increases in the cost of living. The credit will appear on electricity bills as they are issued in April and May.The credit will be applied automatically and there is no need to apply for it. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has oversight of the Scheme. As assigned under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation the CRU is also responsible for the regulation of the retail gas and electricity markets and has functions regarding consumer protection. CRU encourages those struggling to pay their bills to engage with they supplier. Furthermore, under the voluntary supplier Energy Engage Code suppliers will not disconnect any customer that is engaging with them.
142. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff currently employed by his Department; the current annual salary of the highest and second highest paid persons respectively, employed by his Department; and the various pay scales for persons working in his Department. [12474/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 1st March 2022 my Department employes 458 staff (447.07 Full Time Equivalent). My Department implements the instruction of Circular 04/2022 from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the pay scales are published in the Circular 04/2022.My Department is led by a Secretary General and the salary for this post is at Secretary General II. The Department also employs one officer on a Deputy Secretary General salary. The current salary levels for these posts are published in Circular 04/2022.
143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered bringing forward a ring-fenced auction specifically for floating offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current floating offshore target for 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 includes a suite of actions to realise the full potential of the totality of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources. This will include floating offshore wind energy. The Programme for Government commits to the achievement of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and a further commitment to develop a longer-term plan to harness the estimated potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our Atlantic waters.
The 5GW target will be primarily met through development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland’s eastern and southern coastal regions. This reflects the suitability of water depths in these regions for deployment of conventional fixed bottom offshore wind turbines and existing electricity grid infrastructure to connect these projects to the onshore grid. Subsequent cost-effective deployment of renewables in deeper waters off the west coast, to take advantage of greater wind resources, should be increasingly feasible through future advances in floating turbine technology. The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 provides the legal underpinning to an entirely new marine planning system, which will balance harnessing our huge offshore wind potential while protecting our rich and unique marine environment. Work on a revised Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) is currently in progress and will be completed this year. This will set out the pathway for the development of offshore renewable energy beyond 2030.
In Q1 2022, my Department opened a consultation on the proposed assessment criteria for the first batch of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of seven qualified ORE projects. Consultation will also shortly conclude on how the second batch of projects (Phase Two) will be selected to enter the new consenting system. This includes a proposal to allow for an Innovation Category in Phase Two which may be of specific interest to developers of floating offshore wind energy designs.
145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to build a supply chain industry in Ireland for offshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12533/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently preparing for the first offshore wind auction later this year under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1) to support the first phase of offshore wind development in Ireland. These proposed terms and conditions include a requirement for each successful project in ORESS 1 to headquarter its operation and maintenance facilities on the island of Ireland. As offshore renewable energy remains an emerging sector in Ireland, successful projects in ORESS 1 will also be required to complete a Project Delivery Plan Questionnaire, with particular emphasis on domestic supply chain development, to better inform Government policy and design of future ORESS auctions. As referenced in the Climate Action Plan 2021, a cross-Departmental Offshore Renewable Energy Team, chaired by my Department, is being established to capture the wider economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables in Ireland. This is being set up in conjunction with the Marine2040 groups to ensure consistency across the State maritime planning system. It will include the identification of supporting infrastructure and supply chain opportunities as Ireland’s offshore wind industry becomes established.
As part of this work, my Department has been working closely with the Department of Transport and the Irish Maritime Development Office to examine the potential to ensure that Irish ports are in a position to benefit from the offshore wind development programme. The Department of Transport, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office, has conducted an assessment of the options for Irish State ports to facilitate development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland, and will shortly publish an associated policy statement. The statement will outline the proposed strategy for the provision of infrastructure at ports to facilitate development and future operation of offshore renewable energy projects.
146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 3 March 2021, if he will inform An Post that the issue has not been resolved; if he will highlight the matter with the relevant authorities in order to get the issue rectified for the person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for An Post.
The matter referred to by the Deputy was brought to the attention of An Post last year following receipt of the Deputy’s previous Parliamentary Question. I understand An Post were subsequently in contact with the individual concerned.
The matter has been referred to An Post for direct reply to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of grant aid available for installation of solar panels on the roofs of domestic residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 December 2021, the Government approved the final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). This scheme will see supports for new installations, including solar PV, in the form of a capital grant for domestic and small non-domestic applicants, or a premium export tariff for larger non-domestic applicants. The MSS is being introduced on a phased basis this year. The MSS domestic solar PV grant scheme commenced on the 16th February. Domestic applicants can apply to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for a grant towards the cost of installing solar PV equipment, up to a maximum of €2,400 in 2022. Under the MSS there is no minimum post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) requirement and homes built pre-2021 will be eligible. Information on the scheme and how to apply can be found at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/solar-electricity-grant/.
148. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has not carried out a risk assessment or an analysis of Ireland’s financial exposure under the provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty in its regulation of new gas fired power plants [12724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, the Energy Charter Conference decided to modernise the treaty in order to respond to the demands of member countries that consider it outdated with regard to current investment agreements. EU governments and the European Commission are negotiating an update to the ECT’s terms, but the negotiations to date have been slow and complex amid difficulties finding common agreement among the charter’s members.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. It is up to the CRU to decide their investment risk analysis methodology as I have no role in their decision making process.
149. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress of the Energy Charter Treaty modernisation process; and if there is no progress on its modernisation his views on the timeframe by which he will pursue exit from the treaty [12725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, the Energy Charter Conference decided to modernise the treaty in order to respond to the demands of member countries that find it obsolete with regard to current investment agreements. EU governments and the European Commission are negotiating an update to the ECT’s terms, but the talks have been slow and complex amid difficulties finding common agreement among the charter’s members. In September 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union held that EU climate polluters could not use the arbitration system under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) to claim compensation in disputes between member states.Ireland's position remains to support the European Commission's efforts to negotiate meaningful reform of the treaty in the first instance, while reserving the option to support a co-ordinated withdrawal should these efforts fail and if considered appropriate by Government to achieve our national renewable energy and climate ambitions.
150. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which indigenous gas production from the Corrib gas field is supporting the State’s gas demand: the way that the security of gas supply has been protected; the State’s dependency on imported gas supply from the UK up to 2030 following the banning future gas exploration; if Ireland will return to a pre-Corrib levels of import dependency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of natural gas on the same basis as the decision taken by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction. This commitment has been implemented by my Department and has been given statutory effect through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Ireland sources roughly one-quarter of its gas from the Corrib gas field, and three-quarters via interconnector from the UK, which has diverse sources of supply. Both the UK and Ireland both have far less reliance on Russian gas than other European Countries. The UK’s gas supply comes from indigenous supplies, via pipelines from Norway, interconnectors with Belgium and the Netherlands and through imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
As production from the Corrib gas field declines, our import dependence on natural gas from the UK will increase in the near term.
In light of the Ukraine crisis, the European Commission is working closely with Member States to protect the resilience of Europe’s gas supply. The Commission is also actively engaging with other countries to ensure sufficient and timely supply of natural gas to the EU from diverse sources across the globe to avoid supply shocks, including those that could result from disruptions.
It is essential that we cut our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and power comes from our own indigenous renewable resources including wind and solar. Climate Action Plan 2021 sets an ambitious target to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewables sources to up-to 80% by 2030.
151. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which it is more expensive to import natural gas into Ireland than utilising indigenous gas resources; and the annual energy and fuel import bill from the UK gas system. [12890/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland sources around one-quarter of its gas from the Corrib Gas field, and three-quarters via the UK, which has diverse sources of supply. The price which energy suppliers pay for natural gas on the market is a commercial transaction. Energy Suppliers must also pay a regulated price to the Transmission System Operator for the transportation of gas through the gas transmission network, which in Ireland is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent utility regulator. Gas imported from both Great Britain and Corrib is subject to costs for transporting the gas through the transmission network. The Minister has no function in relation to the setting of these prices.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of natural gas on the same basis as the decision taken by the previous government in relation to oil exploration and extraction. This commitment has been implemented by my Department and has been given statutory effect through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of recommendations from the 2016 Kerr Report that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12907/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Kerr Report was published in early 2016 and set out 23 recommendations requiring implementation or consideration by An Post, Postmasters and Government Departments/Agencies. 17 of the recommendations have been fully implemented, 4 have been considered in the context of the Inter-departmental group established to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of additional Government services being contracted through An Post and 2 others are part of ongoing engagement with my Department on the future of the post office network.
In parallel, significant work has been ongoing to ensure the long-term sustainability of An Post and the post office network.
An Post put in place a Strategic Plan in response to the structural challenges faced by the postal sector. In order to implement the Plan, the cost of which was estimated to be in the region of €150m, a long-term low interest loan of €30m was provided to the company in December 2017, of which €15m was to support and protect the renewal of the post office network and €15m to ensure the continued fulfilment of a 5 day per week mails delivery service. As part of the delivery of the plan the company was split into two distinct business units, An Post Mails and Parcels and An Post Retail.
An Post has continued to transform its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. An Post launched its Green Hub, a facility providing end-to-end project management and money-saving advice for all levels of home retrofitting which will be supported by competitive loan rates. Two new dedicated sub-brands, An Post Money and a new business-to-business brand, An Post Commerce, were launched.
An Post is a commercial semi-state company and as with any business An Post and individual post offices need to continue to develop commercial strategies to enable them to grow and maintain their relevance for current and future customers.
The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network. An Post provides important services to its customers and key Government services to citizens, including through contracts with the Department of Social Protection and the National Treasury Management Agency.
153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government considered the final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group recommendations to utilise the post office network for the provision of driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions relating to the provision of driving licences come under the remit of the Department of Transport. The tendering process for the provision of driving licences is a matter for that Department.The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and Post Office Network. An Post provides important services to its customers and key Government services to citizens, including through contracts with the Department of Social Protection and the National Treasury Management Agency.The work of the Interdepartmental Group, which was established to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of additional Government services being contracted through An Post and the Post Office Network is being considered by Minister Naughton and its report will be submitted to Government in due course.
154. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to address the rising use of plastic in supermarkets and in food packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12949/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will meet with retailers including supermarkets to discuss their use of plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), 2020 sets out the steps that will be taken in Ireland to reduce waste from packaging and single-use plastic items over the 5-year term of the plan. These steps include:
A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
All packaging being placed on the market must be reusable or recyclable by 2030.
Supports to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging, including the introduction of a virgin plastic levy will be examined.
Reducing over-packaging and packaging waste while driving design for reuse and recyclability of packaging will be central to an ambitious approach we will take with the European Commission.
Further measures to significantly reduce single-use plastic items being placed on the market such as non-medical wet wipes, hotel toiletries and packaged condiments. This builds on the measures already taken since transposition of the Single Use Plastic Directive last year.
My Department continues to pursue an inclusive approach to the development and implementation of national circular economy measures and a stakeholder Advisory Group already includes representatives of from across the packaging and retail sector. Nonetheless I would be happy to meet the supermarkets to discuss how these measures can best be delivered.
156. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the efficiency of the warmer homes scheme process considering that works have not been carried out on an application submitted over two years ago by a person (details supplied) due to the lack of contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12986/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,100.
There are currently just over 7,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are:
Awaiting the initial survey of their home;
Have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor;
Have been allocated to a contractor for works; or,
Currently undergoing works.
Activity under the Scheme, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2021, the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 26 months. While this delay was largely driven by COVID related issues, the deeper measures being provided under the scheme since 2018, also involve more substantive works.
In order to reduce this timeline to completion, the following key actions are being taken:
The Budget , at €109 million is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
The number of homes retrofitted under the scheme are due to increase from 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month in 2022;
SEAI has allocated additional staff for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme;
SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
Works under the Scheme recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector and activity did ramp up again towards the end of last year. Based on the foregoing, SEAI target clearing the homes currently on the waiting list in approximately 18 months. I am advised by SEAI that the homeowner in this instance has been surveyed, had a pre-works Building Energy Rating completed on 8th February 2022 and is due to be allocated to a contractor this month.
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department is assisting communities to develop community-owned renewable energy projects; the number of projects currently receiving assistance from his Department; the annual budget for helping develop community owned renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030.The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme. The Climate Action Plan includes a target for at least 500MW of renewable electricity to be supplied by local community-based projects; to reach this target it is estimated that at least 100 community projects will be needed. In order to ensure such a pipeline of community projects I have allocated €2 million in capital funding in Budget 2022 to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including toolkit guides to assist communities in developing renewable projects. The first four of these, covering grid connection, Solar PV, the planning process and onshore wind, are available on the SEAI website, with more to be developed in the coming months. A trusted intermediary service is also now in place to assist community projects. A trusted advisory service, for expert financial, grid and planning advice, and financial enabling grant supports are to be delivered in quarter two of 2022.
To date seven community projects, comprising five solar and two wind projects, from the first RESS auction are progressing through a number of milestones for delivery under the RESS scheme.
158. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a communal heating system at a location in County Louth (details supplied); his engagements on the matter; the possible short-term solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to capping the gas rates on group heating schemes considering the issues in relation to same at a location in County Louth (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
Under the House of Tomorrow programme, the first phase of homes in the development were supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. When launched in 2007, these homes were approximately 40% more efficient than they would have been if built in accordance with building standards in place at the time. The communal heating network was supplied by a central boiler originally fuelled by biomass, which significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the homes. I understand that the fuel source has since been changed to a gas boiler.
However, gas prices are not capped in Ireland, and the position of successive Governments, for almost 20 years, has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses. Given recent international developments, however, the importance of moving away from our reliance on imported gas has been underpinned and, instead, we are accelerating the development of renewable energy generation across the country.
This Government recognises the potential to make use of renewable and waste energy to heat homes and businesses as part of a range of measures to reduce carbon emissions. The Climate Action Plan 2021 contains actions that will provide a solid basis for the appropriate expansion of district heating in Ireland, including the establishment of a Steering Group to oversee the rollout of district heating and ensure that a robust governance framework is put in place. These actions will also ensure consumer protection, in accordance with legislation.
160. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if deliveries of Russian coal to Moneypoint power station have been disrupted due to of European Union sanctions on Russia; if alternative sources of coal supplies for the power station have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMoneypoint continues to function normally. Identifying and procuring sources of coal on the international market is an operational matter for the ESB. The European Commission has been engaging closely with all Member States and other stakeholders to act in a coordinated and unified manner to address the challenges posed by the current conflict in Russia and Ukraine and maintain Europe's energy security. In the longer term, the Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030, which will further improve our energy security.
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information required by the Deputy is set out in the table below. My Department has received 8 Protected Disclosures during the period 2019 to 2021 and 2022 to date.
|
Year |
Received |
Accepted |
Ongoing |
Closed |
Transferred to another Dept |
|
2019 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
2020 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
2021 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
2 |
|
2022 to date |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
The total cost spent my Department since 2019 to date on consultancy for protected disclosures is €28,227.21
162. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of funding committed and drawn down under the Climate Action Fund for each successful project; the overall amount of funding committed to date; the funding allocated for innovative ground-breaking climate projects; if the details of such projects will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13084/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt least €500 million will be available from the Climate Action Fund over the period to 2027 to support projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets and goals. In addition, the Government will make major investments through substantial other funding, set out in the National Development Plan. To date, over €140 million has been committed from the Climate Action 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. Through the Community Climate Action Programme, announced in November 2021, €60 million will be invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next three years. Under this Programme, an open call was launched by Pobal in November 2021. A total of 72 applications were received in response to this call and are currently being assessed.
In terms of funds drawn down, 4 projects from the first call under the Climate Action Fund are currently in delivery and eligible to draw down funds. The details are as follows:
|
Project |
Approved Funding € |
Funds Drawn Down € |
|
ESB eCars |
10,000,000 |
2,085,457 |
|
Tallaght District Heating Scheme |
4,447,952 |
0 |
|
Irish Rail – Hybrid Drive for Inter City Railcar Fleet (Test Phase) |
€1,120,000 |
318,000 |
|
3CEA Driving HGV Efficiency into Brexit |
1,373,400 |
77,872 |
|
Total |
16,941,352 |
2,481,329 |
Further information on the projects approved to proceed to validation stage under the first call are available at this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/de5d3-climate-action-fund/.
A further 14 projects have been approved for funding from the Climate Action Fund under the €2 million Creative Climate Action initiative, a collaboration supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme (run by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media). No funds from the Climate Action Fund have been drawn down to date in relation to this initiative as the Creative Ireland Programme funds are being used in the first place for these projects. Climate Action Fund funds are expected to be drawn down later this year. Further details on the projects are available at this link - www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/blog/creative-climate-action-fund-projects/.
The remaining commitments mainly relate to projects progressing through validation, projects currently being assessed under the Community Climate Action Programme open call, and projects awaiting the approval under the EU LIFE Programme required to secure final approval to co-financing from the Climate Action Fund.
In relation to innovative projects, innovation has been a key criterion in the assessment of projects for funding from the Climate Action Fund to date. For example, the Tallaght District Heating System is the first of its kind in Ireland and will use waste heat from a data centre to heat surrounding buildings. The Creative Climate Action Fund initiative is seeking to engage citizens in climate action in innovative and creative ways. Innovation is also a key criterion in the assessment of projects under the Community Climate Action Programme open call.
As a next step, an open call will be developed for launch in 2022 aimed at providing funding for further projects aligned with the priorities of the Government's Climate Action Plan 2021. Work on the development of this call will commence shortly. Details on the scope of the call and eligibility criteria will be available on my Department's website in due course.
