Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been drawn down in 2019 and 2020, from available European Union funds and mechanisms, to support the transport sector in Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21203/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is the EU's funding instrument to support projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for the programming period 2014-2020. Funding under CEF is delivered in the form of grants allocated following competitive calls for proposals. Funding rates vary depending on the call for proposals and the type of project, generally ranging from 20% to 50% of eligible costs.

With regard to projects that support the transport sector to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, in the programming period 2014 – 2020, Gas Networks Ireland has been awarded in excess of €18 million towards two projects focussed on developing a network of CNG stations on Ireland’s TEN-T core road network. There are currently a number of stations in operation, including in Dublin Port and in Cashel. The projects also involve vehicle grant schemes for Heavy Duty Vehicles to incentivise uptake in the sector and the building of renewable gas injection facilities around the country.

While the drawdown of EU funding provided under the CEF programme is not readily available by year, further details on these projects and all Irish CEF transport projects are available on the website of the EU's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency at the following link:

https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/cefpub/eu_investment_in_transport_in_ireland.pdf 

A new CEF programme will be implemented in the period 2021 - 2027 with an anticipated budget of €11.3 billion for transport under the general envelope, open to all Member States. It will support the goals of the Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (December 2020) laying the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. As outlined in the European Green Deal, the result will be a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, delivered by a smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system. It will also prioritise environmentally friendly modes such as rail and the development of charging points for vehicles using alternative fuels.

A three-year CEF work programme covering calls for proposals from 2021 - 2023 is currently being finalised, which will set out the indicative budgets and types of eligible projects that can apply for grants. Final details will  confirmed in the coming weeks once discussions at EU level conclude. It is expected that the first call for proposals will be launched in Q3 of 2021.

In addition, there are a number further potential options for utilising EU funding opportunities in support of the decarbonisation of transport. My Department is reviewing the potential for sustainable public transport projects, as part of the wider Government plans for availing of funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility in line with the European Green Deal and the concept of competitive sustainability.  

The new PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027, which will build upon previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, will provide opportunities under the EU policy objective of “a more connected Europe”, contributing to the cross-border economic and territorial development of the region. In this regard, there has been significant bilateral engagement between my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to examine potential sustainable transport projects that fit the PEACE PLUS criteria.

Finally, my Department continues to examine all funding opportunities and mechanisms to support the transport sector in Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to review how we can leverage European Investment Bank funding and other opportunities for external funding to the maximum extent possible to support our recovery and transition to a low carbon future.