Climate Action Coordinator Aoife Moore delivered a presentation outlining the Implementation Report for the Climate Action Plan (CAP), which was circulated in advance of the meeting. The CAP was adopted in February 2024.

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely introduced the presentation, advising that this was the first progress report on the CAP. She thanked all the staff across the services in the Council for their input.

Cllr. McDermott, Chairperson of the Climate Action, Environment, Rural Water SPC, also outlined that this report had been agreed at a recent SPC meeting and also thanked staff for their input.

During the presentation, Ms. Moore outlined the following:

• The report fulfils the reporting requirements set out in the CAP across three areas, Governance and Leadership, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation and Engagement with Communities.
• In the CAP, there are 44 individual actions across 5 thematic areas. The actions are categorised as adaptations (current climate change issues), mitigation (preventative measures) and combined (mix of both). Roughly half are combined, and the other two types account for roughly one quarter each.
• There is a decarbonising zone in Roscommon Town which has 18 specific action areas associated with it, mostly mitigation.
• The CAP aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, an account of which is detailed in the implementation report.
• Leadership and Governance: A structure has been put in place within the Council, consisting of the Climate Action Team (senior management and oversight of the dedicated SPC and Council), working groups, Climate Action unit, specific sub committees deal with individual actions.
• The climate objections have been embedded into the Corporate Plan 2024-2029 and the related Annual Service Delivery Plans.
• Risk Management: Climate Action risks are incorporated into the risk management processes as they are identified.
• Budgetary provisions have been made in line with the CAP, details of which are in the implementation report.
• Training and capacity building has been a key area for implementation to staff, Elected Members and communities.
• Mitigation and Adaptation: The report deals with case studies showing how these actions are taking place, including emission reduction and energy efficiency targets, and how the energy management team regularly report to the SEAI. These reports show that RCC are on target to meet the targets set out.
• There are three case studies relating to mitigation in the report, the refurbishment of Dillion House, the Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Programme, and the installation of EV Charging Infrastructure.
• Adaptation case studies in the report include the local biodiversity fund for the park for Roscommon Town, the successful EV Wind Turbine Course developed in conjunction with GRETB funded by the Just Transition Fund and the Rise and Thrive project.
• The Climate Change risk assessment is ongoing, as information is made available at national level, it is reviewed and taken into account into local authority processes.
• The Community Climate Action Programme is currently underway, €402,000 has been allocated for 15 projects across the county along with an additional €117,00 for two cross boarder cooperation projects. Phase 2 is set to launch in Q3/4 of 2025.
• Section 5 of the implementation report illustrates examples of strong climate action integration throughout the Council’s service delivery such as social housing retrofitting, biodiversity and water quality enhancement, Active Travel initiatives and Regeneration development.
• The decarbonising zone has ongoing initiatives such as the Repair Café, SEC energy management and ongoing initiatives with the GRETB.

The Members thanked Ms. Moore for the informative presentation and discussed the following points:

·         Views were expressed that joined up thinking isn’t happening in relation to SEAI Grants.

• Concerns were raised regarding the upfront costs required to upgrade the energy efficiency of houses if seeking an SEAI grant, which deters people from carrying out this work and calls that if this was addressed, it could have a huge impact.
• Climate Change is happening and is very visible.
• Delight at the refurbishment of Dillon House and it was questioned when it would be reopened.
• The issue of rural septic tanks was raised regarding accessing grants and the amount of paperwork, inspections and criteria involved.
• Concerns were raised regarding the reliance on electric cars and new homes being built without chimneys during crisis situations such as the recent Storm Éowyn.
• It was asked how strong the sewerage capacity is in Roscommon Town.
• Concerns that nationally, we are not on target to hit the Climate Action targets set by 2030 and the huge penalty that the country is facing as a result.
• It was outlined that a lack of EV charging points is a disincentive to people buying electric cars.
• It was asked what the plan is for the youth, community and voluntary sector, and if there is active engagement with the ETB/IFA/PPN.
• It was asked if there are plans for a generator scheme for communities to help provide support during a crisis.
• It was questioned if there is going to be an addition round of support from the Just Transition Fund.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

            SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott

It was AGREED to write to SEAI asking for a review the criteria for grant funding for retrofitting homes, particularly to reconsider the upfront costs required and request the introduction of split grant funding.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice thanked Ms. Moore for her presentation and highlighted that more action was needed. He raised the issue that clear air needs to be improved and suggested that idle running cars are causing major issues, and he outlined that awareness was needed where cars are idling such as outside takeaway food establishments. He also noted that it was highly positive to see a new solar farm in the Castlerea area. He proposed that the Neighbour Woods scheme be explored where a new forest is created at the edges of towns with amenities within such as playgrounds. He commended the recent project in Foley Bennetts Orchard where there were 150 apple trees planted by youth and local employment scheme workers.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr. Conboy

It was AGREED to ask Roscommon County Council to explore the possibility of developing a Neighbour Woods scheme for 14 acres of low-lying land in Castlerea, currently owned by Roscommon County Council.

Ms. Moore advised the following in response to the Members points.

• She outlined that the issues regarding the SEAI grants had been raised before and explained that there are different grants available including a grant for people claiming social welfare benefits.
• She advised that the opening of Dillion House was a matter for the Assets section and the septic tank issues were a matter for the Environment section.
• She explained that there is a strategy in progress for EV charging points.
• She stated that car idling is a matter for the Environment Awareness Officer.
• She advised that she would be happy to speak to any communities interested in the neighbour woods scheme.
• She outlined that the penalties for not hitting Climate Action targets by 2030 will depend on how much they are missed by but confirmed that it is likely they would be substantial.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice outlined that there was indication from the government that they would establish a scheme to provide generators for community hubs in towns and villages to assist in crisis situations.

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely advised that the septic tanks grant allocations increased from €5000 to €12,000 recently but appreciates there are still issues with the scheme that prevents people from engaging with it such as the upfront cost, inspections and the time it takes to draw down the money. She advised that the Council are continuing to work with Uisce Éireann on the issue of sewerage capacity in line with the Roscommon County Development Plan. She explained that the Council’s Climate Actions are funded through the Budget, and that there is no funding provided from the government for these actions. She also added that the ZEVI, the EV charging strategy, which will be before the Council in the coming months, will set out where the charging points will be located.