Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 1 June 2021, if he will provide an update on the engagement he has had to date with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to supporting and promoting efforts at local government level on climate action, particularly in relation to County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43966/21]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when funding for climate action staff and for the development of local authority climate action plans will be provided; if this funding will result in more staff at local council level or through the CARO offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44123/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 62 together.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, which will include both mitigation and adaptation measures, and be updated every five years. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans. My Department is working with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), the EPA, and other stakeholders to develop appropriate guidelines for the making of these plans.

My Department engages with all four CAROs and stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, on a regular basis, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group. Each CARO, including the Atlantic Seaboard North, which includes the Local Authorities for counties Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Galway, in addition to Galway City, is working with the Local Authorities to both facilitate and monitor implementation of local climate actions undertaken under local adaptation strategies and the Climate Charter developed under the 2019 Climate Action Plan. 

My Department is also funding for the implementation of the new Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme is increasing knowledge of climate change and the need for action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level. 

In addition, my Department is currently considering bids for additional resources for the CAROs and for Local Authorities to support climate action.