Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when funding for smaller scale projects at local authority level will be provided as part of the Climate Action Fund; when the last round of funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21678/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is currently developing proposals to provide further support from the Climate Action Fund through a community climate action programme. The design of this programme will be informed by feedback received through the climate consultation that is currently underway and,  in particular, the conversations that are taking place at local level through the Public Participation Networks. The consultation is open until 18 May and analysis on the feedback from these conversations will help shape the community programme in terms of identifying where financial support is required, where capacity building is needed, and the types of projects and initiatives that are being considered at local level. Information on the types of projects that may be supported, who may apply for this support and the application process, will be published on my Department’s website when the programme is launched shortly.

In advance of the finalisation of this programme, Creative Ireland, in collaboration with my Department, has launched Creative Climate Action, a competitive fund of up to €2 million supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme.The fund will support creative and cultural projects up to the end of 2022 which will connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change, and can transform that connection into behaviour change or climate action. Two strands of funding are available:

- an open call – to organisations, NGOs, charities, enterprises, institutions and collectives/networks working with creative and cultural practitioners; and

- a closed call – to Local Authorities, either individually, with other Local Authorities or external partners.

Further information, including a briefing note and details on how to apply, are set out on the Creative Ireland website: www.creativeireland.gov.ie

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role climate action regional offices will have in providing guidance and assistance to local authorities when developing climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21681/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 commenced Second Stage in the Dáil last Wednesday 21 April 2021.  The Bill will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provide that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations.

The Bill, inter alia, further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce a Climate Action Plan, covering both mitigation and adaptation. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in their preparation.

In 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). The CAROs played a key role in coordinating the development of Local Authority Local Adaptation Strategies published in 2019. Each CARO is now working with the Local Authorities in its region to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the local climate adaptation actions within the strategies.  My Department is also funding and working with the CAROs in relation to the implementation of a Local Authority climate action training programme to build the necessary capacity in the sector, increasing climate change knowledge and supporting climate action by all Local Authorities.  The training will facilitate effective climate mitigation and adaptation actions at local level. The CAROs will continue to provide support to the Local Authorities on climate action. My Department engages regularly with all four CAROs, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group.