Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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109. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of funding set aside, from windfall taxes, for the Climate Action Fund for 2024-2026, as referenced in the Summer Economic Statement 2023, including the amount ringfenced for nature restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the Summer Economic Statement 2023 it was announced €2¼ billion in windfall tax receipts would be made available to support the delivery of infrastructure projects over the period 2024 to 2026, as well as to make a contribution to the Climate Action Fund for nature restoration. This approach makes use of these potentially transient revenues to build long-lasting improvements to our economy and our society.

The specific allocation of such funding is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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110. To ask the Minister for Finance for a timeline for the drafting and introduction of the legislation establishing the Climate and Nature Fund, as detailed in the Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45637/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, which I announced on Budget day.

The Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill will establish this fund. The Bill is included on the list of bills for publication in the Government’s autumn legislation programme.

Following Government approval on 10 October, the General scheme was published on my Department’s website on 12 October. I have referred the General Scheme to the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach regarding Pre-legislative Scrutiny and officials have referred the General Scheme to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to begin the drafting of the legislation.