Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of programme F is to promote the protection of our natural environment, the health and well-being of our citizens and the transition to a resource-efficient circular economy in support of ecologically sustainable development, growth and jobs. The environment and waste management programme includes an allocation of €37.4 million towards staff costs, non-pay current as well as capital costs of the Environmental Protection Agency to allow it meet its legislative mandate and deliver its research commitments, in areas such as ambient air quality as well as the broader climate change agenda. The programme includes €11 million grant funding for the remediation of landfill sites and repatriation of North-South waste. A national waste campaign targeted at household waste collection, illegal dumping, end of life vehicles and tyres will increase awareness of the necessity to minimise waste and increase recycling.

Investment of €2 million in the establishment of a local authority regional climate action office will support implementation of sectoral adaptation measures. An allocation of €1.5 million will fund a range of Irish academic and research institutions involved in technical research and modelling to inform policy measures in line with the national mitigation plan and the national adaptation framework. Funding for the national dialogue on climate action aims to build citizen engagement to bring about the requisite societal transformation to address the challenges presented by climate change.