Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a list of activities that will be funded from the new circular economy fund to be established under the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/22]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 is a key step in the transition to a circular economy and will provide a robust statutory framework for moving from a focus on managing waste to a much greater focus on adapting patterns of production and consumption.

Recognising the role played by the Environment Fund since its inception, and the need to align its objectives more closely with the promotion of the Circular Economy, the Bill provides for the replacement of the Environment Fund by a new Circular Economy Fund. While the terms and scope of the Fund are generally unchanged, the new Fund will signal a key commitment to Circular Economy principles and the establishment of a Circular Economy.The objectives of the Fund will continue in the spirit of the Environment Fund in capturing environmental levy funds generated and utilising this to support projects in line with Fund objectives. The purposes for which monies may be paid out of the Circular Economy Fund are provided for under section 8(9) of the Bill.