Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
173. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the implementation plan, timelines and funding allocations underpinning Ireland’s Circular Economy Strategy 2026–2028; the way progress will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028 was published on 24 February 2026 and represents the next phase of Ireland’s transition towards a resource-efficient, innovation-driven, and low-carbon economy. It replaces and builds upon the first Circular Economy Strategy (2021–2023) and is prepared under section 7 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Strategy includes targets and actions for specific economic sectors, driving reductions in material resource consumption in addition to increases in the levels of repair and reuse, and use of re-usable products and materials.
A new implementation unit has been established in the Department and the focus will be on accelerating progress through achieving the actions and targets contained within the Strategy. This will be achieved with targeted milestones and collaboration across all relevant sectors, agencies and Government Departments. Governance structures are currently being established including a Circular Economy Strategy Oversight Oversight Group, a National Coordinating Group for the Circular Economy and a Circular Economy Advisory Group. These will have wide-ranging representation and be action and target oriented. This structure is seen as a vital foundation from which to accelerate our transition to a circular economy and ensures adequate oversight, buy-in and ambition to reach the objectives set out in the Strategy.
Through the Circular Economy Fund, I am providing essential financial support across a wide range of initiatives, which are prescribed for under Section 8 (9) of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Strategy also commits to an increased allocation for the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme from €650,000 to €1.5 million. Other financing options will be explored over the lifetime of the Strategy, including the introduction of a pilot repair voucher scheme.
Progress will be tracked through a new National Circularity Dashboard, to be developed by the Department, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). An annual report to Government will measure progress toward circularity targets, as provided for in the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022.
