Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to bring forward investments for accelerated delivery in the context of the national economic plan. [34559/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Economic Plan will set a high level framework for the Government's priorities and policy objectives for a sustainable recovery, while signalling pathways and further workstreams towards these medium-term goals. The approach to the Plan will be based on a number of key themes, one of which will focus on the profound changes arising from decarbonisation and technological advancement, priorities which are aligned to those of my own Department. Underpinning this is the reality that climate action will profoundly change how our society and economy operates in the coming decades. The process of developing the Plan has included stakeholder engagement with 200 stakeholders from business representative groups, social partners, environmental groups and non-governmental bodies taking part in a virtual event in October. Transitioning to a low carbon economy was dominant throughout all discussions, as was the issue of digitalisation.

Both the July Stimulus and Budget 2021 have shown the Government's commitment to provide the investment necessary to reduce greenhouse emissions, capture the benefits of the green economy and provide for a jobs led recovery.  Over €220 million has been allocated for residential and community retrofit programmes next year, the largest amount ever allocated for these schemes.  This will help position our economy to exploit opportunities for sustainable growth, while supporting over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs.

My Department will input into the review of the National Development Plan which will look at the funding required to deliver on the priorities set out in Programme for Government and in the National Economic Plan.