Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has assessed the potential for the rural economy of the development of circular economy strategies; and the extent to which initiatives with a focus on more sustainable use of products and materials, and on recovery and reuse are figuring among projects receiving support from her Department. [8133/23]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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A vibrant circular economy should be seen as an essential part of developing a sustainable, climate neutral, resource efficient and competitive economy. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications recently published the first whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy and my Department has been playing its part in promoting the opportunities available in the circular economy.

This aligns with Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy, which recognises the benefits for rural areas of transitioning to a more circular model.

Social enterprises are particularly important players in the Circular Economy and are often the only enterprises handling certain goods or materials, while providing quality training and job opportunities. The continued implementation of the National Social Enterprise policy, and the development of its successor, will underpin our support for these social enterprises.

The Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports some 420 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. There are currently 30 organisations supported by CSP that provide recycling, food bank, horticulture and other services related to the circular economy. This includes a three-year pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged which was launched by DRCD in collaboration with the Department of Transport.

The 2023-2027 LEADER programme also recognises that there is significant potential for employment opportunities for rural areas presented by the green economy and will provide funding to support circular and bio economy projects.

Collectively, I believe these measures will play an important role in supporting the development of the circular economy.