Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
166. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of climate officers in local authorities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff allocated to climate projects in local authorities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of investment made to climate projects by each local authority in the State in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement with local authorities with regard to climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made by local authorities with regard to climate action plan implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of funding for local authorities with regard to climate-related projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167, 168, 188, 189 and 190 together. 166, 167, 168, 188 and 189 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), within 12 months from when I formally issue a request to the sector to prepare such plans. The request is to be made not later than 18 months after the commencement of the Act. LA CAPs will include both mitigation and adaptation measures. My Department is finalising statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of LA CAPs.
I recognise that Local Authorities need support in the delivery of LA CAPs, and I have allocated €3.5million to secure new resources in 2022. I will continue to provide funding to the sector over the coming years. My Department issued a letter to the Chief Executive of each LA on 26 October 2022 confirming the provision of these resources. These resources include the establishment of Climate Action Teams, including Climate Action Coordinators and Climate Action Officers. Service Level Agreements will shortly be signed between my Department and each LA defining the allocation of resources and reporting requirements. In addition, Climate Action Community Officer roles have been funded separately under the Climate Action Fund, Community Climate Action Programme.
Local Authorities are at different stages of recruitment for all the roles outlined above. Officials from my Department meet regularly with the Local Authority National Climate Action Steering Group (LANCASG), which fall under the auspices of the City and County Managers Association (CCMA).
