A total of 57 applicants are to receive the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Communities grant scheme.

The scheme will support the communities to deliver energy upgrades to nearly 700 homes and 570 community and commercial buildings in their local area, eliminating 34,676 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD said: "We are providing €25m to fund proposals developed by 57 of those communities and help those pioneering communities to deliver real climate action. All projects are community orientated with a cross sectoral approach including the public and private sector. This is an innovative model supported by SEAI coming together with organisations that can mobilise businesses, homeowners and community and charity organisations to get projects off the ground.

Minister Bruton visited one of the 2018 grant recipients, St Michael's House Leisure Centre, in Coolock, Dublin. This is part of a larger upgrade project including a number of homes, businesses and public buildings. St Michael's Leisure Centre received a grant of €72,000 towards a renewable heat pump and lighting upgrade.

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He continued: "If we are to reach the targets set in the Climate Action Plan we must reduce the harmful emissions that come from our buildings. We need to scale up our ambition in this area. Upgrading our homes and businesses with improved insulation and energy efficiency measures can greatly reduce our impact on our environment. Community partnerships are key to reaching our targets set out in the Climate Action Plan. Innovation and pioneering partnerships between the public and private sectors, residential and non-residential sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations are to be encouraged and supported. This is part of a much wider effort that we are delivering as part of our Climate Action Plan to engage communities. This is in addition to the 300 sustainable energy communities who are working towards longer term sustainable energy plans in their local areas.

"These grants will support communities to drive projects which will deliver significant upgrades to groups of homes and businesses in their local area. Not only will these upgrades help us deliver on our climate commitments, but they will result in cleaner, healthier, warmer homes and businesses and cheaper energy bills."

Up to €25m of Project Ireland Government funding is available to support the successful projects, which have a total value of €66m.

Jim Gannon, CEO of SEAI said: "The Government's Climate Action Plan recognises the central role of communities in achieving our climate action ambitions. SEAI is working with hundreds of energy communities across the country, providing them with the knowledge and the means to both plan their own low carbon pathway and to deliver on their ambitions. These Government funded grants are a key support for communities ready to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions tailored to their needs. The collective achievements of these communities can be replicated, drawing more and more citizens into Ireland's clean energy transition."

(CD/MH)