Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding currently contained in the Climate Action Fund; the projects that received funding from the fund to date in 2021; the amount of funding each received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets.  The Fund is resourced from proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met.In the region of €500 million is expected to accrue to the Climate Action Fund on a phased basis over the period to 2027. The balance in the Fund as at 15 June 2021 is €49.5 million. Further funds will be transferred from NORA to the Fund over the course of 2021.

While no funding has been provided for projects to date in 2021, the Deputy may wish to note that almost €185 million has been committed for projects approved in 2019 and 2020. Further opportunities to secure support from the Fund will be available during 2021, including  in relation to a community climate action programme currently being finalised by my Department. Development of this programme is being informed by feedback received through the recent climate consultation. 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, 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 that connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change. Applications for support from this fund are now closed. The 166 applications received are currently being evaluated. Further information is available at www.creativeireland.gov.ie.