Minister O’Brien launches consultation on Ireland’s Social Climate Plan

• Focus of the Plan is investment in measures supporting those most vulnerable to energy and transport poverty

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, today launched a public consultation on the development of Ireland’s Social Climate Plan.

Over the lifetime of the Plan (2026-2032), Ireland can recoup up to 75% of the cost of eligible measures within the Plan (to a maximum of €663 million) from the EU Social Climate Fund. The focus of the Plan is investment in long-lasting, socially-fair measures aimed at supporting those who may be most vulnerable to energy and transport poverty arising from our transition towards clean mobility and a decarbonised built environment.

In the development and implementation of this Plan, the Government is committed to

developing robust and high-quality measures, guided by meaningful stakeholder input, to ensure that the funds are appropriately targeted to those most at risk from energy and transport poverty, such as vulnerable households, transport users and micro-enterprises. This first, of two consultations, is designed to capture information on what the public and stakeholders see as the priorities for investment under this Plan.

The English language version of this consultation will run for a period of six weeks until Thursday 23 October and is available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/SCP-Ireland-2025.

Tá leagan amach as Gaeilge den chomhairliúchán seo le fáil ar feadh sé seachtaine go dtí deireadh an lae 23ú Deireadh Fómhair: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/SCP-Ireland-2025?surveylanguage=GA.

The second consultation, being planned for November, will be a public event, with European Commission officials present. Commenting on the consultation, Minister O’Brien said:

“Over the longer-term, we will have a much more sustainable, secure and efficient transport and heating system, but in the here and now, I recognise that the transition can be difficult for people and that it impacts people unevenly. We have a fantastic opportunity now, with the support of this significant EU co-financing, to develop measures that will have a lasting impact on the wellbeing and comfort of those most vulnerable to energy and transport poverty while also having decarbonisation co-benefits.

While this is an open consultation, I particularly encourage all those impacted by energy and transport poverty, and the groups that represent them, to participate in this consultation.”