Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 15 December 2022, if he will clarify if the community category will be continued for RESS 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9839/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the flagship Government policies to help deliver on the Climate Action Plan 2023 target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

Of the seven successful community projects in RESS 1, four projects remain within the scheme. Of the ten successful community projects in RESS 2, one project has withdrawn to date. Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS.

To simplify and boost community participation in the Government’s renewable energy ambition, consideration is being given to providing support for eligible community projects through the Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSGS) which is due to be launched later this year. The SSGS is not anticipated to include an auction process and is expected to be a simpler route for community participation.

In October 2022, my Department published a consultation on the design of the third RESS auction (RESS 3), which will take place this year, including options for continuing the community category in RESS in light of the development of the SSGS. A decision on the final design of the third RESS auction will be made shortly.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding allocated to date to the community energy grant scheme. [9851/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Communities Energy Grant is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

Since its launch in 2016, the Communities Energy Grant scheme has been allocated current and capital funding totalling €249.5 million.

In 2023, a record €68 million capital funding has been allocated to the Scheme with €0.3 million current funding also provided. This allocation reflects the very strong demand seen for the Scheme in 2022 and the strong pipeline of works in place for this year.

The Community Energy Grant Scheme guidelines for 2023 have been updated recently to reflect the changing environment and ensure that the programme continues to target and support our communities. All project coordinators have been notified of these new guidelines.

The SEAI advise that live updates are available for project coordinators for the Community Energy Grant Scheme on the SEAI web site.