Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the workforce plan for climate action officers in local authorities; the total average cost for WTE per staffing level; if there are plans to recruit more; if any positions remain unfulfilled; if so, when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55021/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal government has a key role to play in implementing measures to meet Ireland’s national climate targets. Local Authorities are well-placed to respond to climate change and build momentum as the most direct connection that citizens and local communities have with Government. Section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 requires, inter alia, each Local Authority to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP) specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted. In March 2023, I published statutory guidelines to assist Local Authorities in preparing their LA CAPs.
My Department authorised funding in 2022 to support the Local Authority Climate Action Plan process, including for the recruitment of specialist staff in each Local Authority to form the nucleus of climate action teams – a Climate Action Coordinator and Climate Action Officer. In 2022, a total of €3.2 million was paid to the sector to begin the implementation of Phase 1 of the LA CAPs. By November 2023, I understand that 30 Local Authorities had hired a Climate Action Coordinator and 26 Local Authorities had hired a Climate Action Officer. Recruitment and workforce planning for the supported climate posts are the responsibility of each Local Authority. A total of €5.5 million has been allocated to the sector in 2023 for Phase 2 to develop the Local Authority Climate Action Plans and my Department is now in the process of reviewing and processing eligible claims.
