Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
68. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average tree cover in the 100 largest towns in Ireland; if he plans to increase tree cover to counteract higher temperatures in the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/23]
View answerMy Department does not hold data on tree cover in Irish towns. The management of tree cover in public areas in towns and cities in Ireland falls under the remit of the Local Authorities.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, within 12 months from when I formally issue a request to the sector to begin the preparation of such plans. I will issue this request in the coming weeks. My Department, in collaboration with Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROS) and the Environmental Protection Agency, has developed Guidelines to assist Local Authorities in preparing this plans.
I recognise that Local Authorities will need to be supported in the delivery of their Climate Action Plans and I allocated €3.5 million in 2022 to support the Local Authorities in securing resources to begin the process of developing these plans. I intend to provide further funding to the sector over the coming years.
