Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
216. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of climate action officers in each local authority, by local authority; the estimated cost to hire one additional FTE climate action officer in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48731/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated cost to double the funding for climate action officers, by cap ex and op ex, in tabular form. [48732/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
Under the Climate (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority was required to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan for its respective administrative area. In 2022, my Department approved a business case submitted by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) for additional resources for local authorities to develop and implement their Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). This included a request for funding for one Climate Action Coordinator role and one Climate Action Officer role.
The business case set out an annual cost per Climate Action Officer role in each local authority of €88,644, resulting in a combined annual figure of €2,747,964 for all 31 local authorities. My Department signed a five-year Service Level Agreement with all local authorities for Phase 3 of the LA CAPs (November 2023 - December 2028) which provides for funding of €2,747,964 for one Climate Action Officer in each local authority, from a total annual budget of €5,815,000.
On that basis doubling the allocation for Climate Action Officers would result in a cost of €177,288 per local authority, and a combined total of €5,495,928 for all 31 local authorities.
As of May 2026, the status of the Climate Action Officers, as reported to my Department by the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), is:
• 30 Climate Action Officers - "Hired and In Post".
• 1 Climate Action Officer - “Currently Recruiting".
The attached table provides a breakdown of the status of the Climate Action Officer in each local authority, the annual allocation per Climate Action Officer in each local authority, and the cost to double the annual allocation for the Climate Action Officer in each local authority.
I announced significant new funding of almost €35m this year to further support local authorities as they continue to drive forward climate action in our communities. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.
In June 2026, my Department received a business case from the County and City Management Association (CCMA) requesting that provision be made for the existing 110 climate posts in local authorities to become permanent posts, including the Climate Action Officer role. I support this in principle and officials in my Department are currently reviewing the business case with a view to presenting a submission to me.
