Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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187. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the details of the EU energy package; the way that this €40 billion redeployment of regional and structural funding will affect Ireland; the amount of financial support that will be available from this fund for Ireland; if this is additional support with energy costs for households will be additional to the Government announcements to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53032/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The European Commission proposals, published on 18 October, include the flexibility for Member States to reallocate up to 10% of cohesion funding for the period 2014-2020 to fund targeted, temporary and exceptional measures to face the challenges resulting from the current energy crisis.  

While this proposed flexibility may be of benefit to some Member States, Ireland has, taking account of a decision to use any available cohesion funds to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees, already expended or decided how to allocate the limited available funds for this period. There is, therefore, no additional funding available for Ireland as a result of this proposal.  

Separately, the European Commission published the REPowerEU plan in May. This is a plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition. The REPowerEU plan proposes the provision of additional funding through the Recovery and Resilience Facility to finance investment in diversifying the energy mix of EU Member States.  

Earlier this month EU Finance Ministers have reached agreement at ECOFIN on the RePowerEU proposal, including the allocation of grant funding among EU Member States. Ireland’s allocation under the proposed methodology would be circa €90m.  

The Council agreement allows negotiations commence with the European Parliament, with the European legislation necessary to provide for such funding not expected to come into force until next year.  At that point, Ireland can amend its National Recovery and Resilience Plan to include any additional funding that may be available, taking account of Commission guidance due to be published next year. In the interim, my Department is considering potential proposals for funding under this mechanism with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.  

I would note that Ireland’s current National Recovery and Resilience Plan has been approved by the European Commission. The objective of the plan is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery effort, in a manner that complements and supports the Government’s broader recovery efforts. 42% of the plan will support climate investments and reforms.