Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 46 together.

Local Authorities play a key role in climate mitigation and adaptation, as set out in Section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. This requires each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), specifying the mitigation and adaptation measures to be adopted.

The LA CAPs will see each Local Authority translate national climate policy to local circumstances, with the prioritisation and acceleration of evidence-based policies and measures. This will assist in the delivery of our climate goals at local and community levels. The plans will be updated every five years.

In February 2023, I requested each Local Authority to begin the preparation of their LA CAP. Under the climate legislation, Local Authorities have 12 months to complete their individual plans from the date of my request. I have issued the statutory guidelines to support Local Authorities in this process on 6 March 2023.

Local Authorities are at different stages of completion of their LA CAPs, with a number of them currently out for public consultation. Each Local Authority is responsible for having its LA CAP adopted within the mandated timeframe.

My Department has responded to the need for additional capacity within Local Authorities to deliver the LA CAPs by providing funding for specialist staff to form the nucleus of climate action teams. In addition, a new SLA with €12 million in funding was signed with the Climate Action Regional Offices to enable them continue their work in supporting local government to develop their LA CAPs.