Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide details of the €27 million funding announced for the acceleration of Ireland's circular economy transition; and the timeframe for when the funds will be issued, by county. [53488/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since the funding announcement earlier this year, successful recipients of 2025 funds have already availed of funding and will continue to drawdown funds until year end.

While the allocation of funding is currently only available in aggregate form, funds have been provided to support a range of important circular national initiatives this year including the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme, EPA Circular Economy Programme, Anti-Dumping Initiative, Irish Environmental Network and Food Circle project. In addition, funds have been allocated to support the introduction of designated waste collection systems for textiles and hazardous waste.

More information on the initiatives supported by the Fund can be found in the annual Circular Economy Fund Accounts (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/circular-economy-fund-accounts/) audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). It should be noted the audit of the 2024 accounts has yet to be finalised as the audit of accounts are typically carried out by the C&AG in the final quarter of the subsequent year.

The Circular Economy Fund operates on an annual basis, with the €27million allocated for 2025 activities only. The Fund utilises revenues from environmental levies to provide financial support to the initiatives as prescribed for under Section 8 (9) of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2022.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there will be an expansion of the funding of the circular economy innovation grant scheme in 2025. [53489/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to confirm that the 2025 funding round of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) was launched on 10 September last.

The CEIGS is designed to support innovative circular economy projects led by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Since its launch in April 2021, the scheme has awarded €1.8 million to 36 projects, spanning key circular economy themes including food waste, plastics, single-use packaging, construction, textiles, and general waste.

Following a successful 2024 call, the scheme will once again be administered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, a philanthropic hub that connects donors, grantees, and communities committed to positive social change.

For the 2025 round, €650,000 in total funding is available, with individual grants expected to range between €40,000 and €50,000.

Projects should focus on priority areas for Ireland’s circular economy, including plastics, circularity for the construction sector, food waste prevention and proposals that enhance the recovery of critical raw materials in products.

The CEIGS has supported many innovative businesses since its inception, each one contributing to Ireland’s efforts to deliver a more circular economy. For example, Blade-bridge who are repurposing decommissioned turbine blades, transforming them into public infrastructure including bridges and street furniture, and Happe Earth who are helping the healthcare industry to transition from single-use plastics to medically approved compostable alternatives.

This call will enable us to extend that support across a broad range of organisations, community groups and SMEs throughout Ireland, accelerating action for the circular economy, and spotlighting truly innovative projects that have the potential to be replicated across the country creating maximum circular impact.