Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

304. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide financial support and utilise the objectives of Sustainable Killarney 2030 as a pilot scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20682/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The project in question sought funding under the Community Climate Action Programme's "Strand 1- Building Low Carbon Communities". The overall objective of this Programme is to support and empower communities, in partnership with their Local Authority, to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets. Approximately 640 projects were approved for funding under this programme and are currently in delivery in partnership with Local Authorities across the country.

I am advised that this project had initially requested €100k but was put forward for €50k through the Kerry County Council proposal for funding under the programme. It was, however, deemed ineligible as this programme is intended primarily for not-for-profit community organisations. In contrast, the project in question sought funding to support commercial undertakings. Additionally, it was considered that the project did not directly align with the objectives of the overall programme, when compared with other proposals that were successful in their applications.

This does not detract from the potential value of the project as a whole and it may be eligible to apply for funding under future phases of the programme. In the interim, it is recommended that the applicants contact their local enterprise office to determine if there may be other funding mechanisms available.