Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will reopen the Climate Action Fund to nature-based projects applying for funding under the scheme; if he will be updating criteria to include nature-based solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35005/21]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he anticipates the next round of funding to be made available through the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35006/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.

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, and for projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy.  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.

Opportunities to secure support from the Fund will be available during 2021, including 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 conversations that took place at local level across the country. 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 relation to eligibility of nature based solutions for funding, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, which was recently passed by the Dáil and is currently before the Seanad,  includes provisions to allow certain nature based solutions to be eligible for support from the Fund.  Following commencement of the new legislation, it is envisaged that relevant nature based projects and initiatives will be eligible for support under this community programme.

In advance of the finalisation of the community 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.