Circular Economy Fund Accounts

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2022 provides for the establishment of an Circular Economy Fund which replaced the Environment Fund, to be managed and controlled by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment. Revenues from the levies on plastic shopping bags, the landfill and recovery of waste are paid into the Fund, which may be utilised, for a range of purposes.

These include assistance in the following areas:

• schemes to prevent/reduce waste
• schemes to support the circular economy, such as re-use and recycling activities
• research and development into waste management or circular economy
• production, distribution or sale of products deemed to be less harmful to the environment than other similar products
• development of producer initiatives to prevent/reduce waste arising from their activities
• implementation of waste management plans
• enforcement of legislation relating to waste management, prevention of litter or protection of the environment
• partnership projects, that involve local authorities, to improve the quality of the environment for local communities
• promotion of awareness of the need to protect the environment, including national and regional campaigns
• promotion / support of education and training to assist achievement of campaign objectives
• resources (human or material) to enable education and training to be carried out
• initiatives undertaken by community groups, environmental groups and others for protection of the environment
• such other purposes for protection of the environment as may be prescribed by the Minister through regulations

Circular Economy Fund Accounts are prepared on an annual basis. These accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and laid before the Oireachtas.

Copies of the Accounts for the year 2023 is available below.

Circular Economy Fund Account 2023