Background Notes

Environmental Accounts

As part of the implementation of the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) [1], Eurostat, the European statistical office, has developed a series of environmental accounts modules, including the Environmental Subsidies and Similar Transfers module. Eurostat has sought data annually under this module since 2015. Data collection is voluntary but legislation is currently being proposed by Eurostat to establish a legal basis for data collection. Ireland has submitted data for these voluntary collections and this release is based on those submissions.

Environmental Subsidies and Similar Transfers

The UN SEEA Central Framework defines an environmental subsidy or similar transfer as a current or capital transfer that is intended to support activities which protect the environment or reduce the use and extraction of natural resources.

This definition includes environmental subsidies and similar transfers that are current or capital transfers according to the SNA 2008 [2] and its European version, the ESA 2010 [3].

Types of Transfer

Although tax abatements are not covered in the definition of transfers above, we have included statistics on environment-related tax abatements in this release as these are significant environmental transfers and are important for environmental policy-making.

Primary Purpose Criterion and Rio Markers

Some subsidies and similar transfers can have environmentally favourable side-effects even though this is not a primary objective of the programme. Such transfers were not included in this release. For example, subsidies for public transport were not included even though they may have the effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is consistent with the Eurostat guidelines for compiling statistics on environmental subsidies and similar transfers. Eurostat guidelines are in turn based on the UN SEEA Central Framework.

Some programmes have multiple significant objectives, one or more of which may be environmental. Transfers provided under these programmes were partially included in this release. Where possible this was done by obtaining information on the amount of expenditure relating to the environmental objective under the programme. Where this was not possible we included a percentage of the funding, using the Rio Markers approach [5], as follows:

Funding under the following schemes was included at a rate of 40%: Fallen Animals Scheme, Green Schools Travel Programme, Greenways, Neighbourwood and Warmer Homes Scheme.

Climate-related Subsidies

The annual amount paid in climate-related subsidies was also estimated in this release through the use of Rio Markers [5]. In this case if the principal objective of the programme was climate protection then the full amount of the subsidy was included (100%), while if one of a number of significant objectives was climate protection then it was partially included (40%).

Some energy efficiency, renewable energy and forestry schemes have climate protection as a major objective, resulting in 40% of payments under these programmes being included as climate-related. A list of climate-related subsidy schemes is provided in these notes and can be found at the end of the full list of programmes.

Environmental Protection and Resource Management Classifications

Environmental protection includes all activities and actions which have as their primary purpose the prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution as well as any other degradation of the environment. Resource management is the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of the stock of natural resources.

Environmental subsidies and similar transfers can be classified by the environmental protection or natural resource domain towards which they are targeted. We have used the CEPA (Classification of Environmental Protection Activities) and CReMA (Classification of Resource Management Activities) classifications.

CEPA is an internationally agreed classification of environmental protection activities by environmental domain and is specified in the amended Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 [4]:

CEPA 2000
    01. Protection of ambient air and climate
    02. Wastewater management
    03. Waste management
    04. Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water
    05. Noise and vibration abatement
    06. Protection of biodiversity and landscapes
    07. Protection against radiation
    08. Research and development for environmental protection
    09. Other environmental protection activities

CReMA can be used to classify environmental subsidies and similar transfers for resource management. It is also specified in the amended Regulation (EU) No 691/2011:

CReMA 2008
    10. Management of waters
    11. Management of forest resources
    12. Management of wild flora and fauna
    13. Management of energy resources
          13A. Production of energy from renewable sources
          13B. Heat/energy saving and management
          13C. Minimisation of the intake of fossil resources for raw materials for uses other than energy production
    14. Management of minerals
    15. Research and development for resource management
    16. Other resource management activities

The majority of environmental programmes identified in this release fell clearly into a single CEPA/CReMA domain. However a number of programmes had multiple environmental objectives, or provided small grants to different projects with different environmental aims. In these latter cases the subsidy or grant payment was distributed between two or more environmental domains. Wherever possible this was carried out using data on amounts paid under each domain, otherwise proportions were estimated using expert knowledge on the programme or information about the programme objectives.

Institutional Sectors and Economic Activities of Beneficiaries

We have compiled data on the entities that receive environmental subsidies and similar transfers from the national government and from the EU. The beneficiaries are classified according to their institutional sector and their economic activity as follows:

(i) Institutional sector. An institutional sector is defined in ESA 2010 as an aggregation of institutional units with similar economic behaviour. The following institutional sectors are distinguished:

(ii) Economic activity. NACE [6] is the European reference classification for statistics related to economic activities.

Allocation of funding to NACE sections and institutional sectors was straightforward for certain programmes but was challenging in some cases. In particular, the specific NACE section of the recipients of industry and commercial services grants (such as energy efficiency retrofit grants) was often difficult to identify. Details of grant recipients were sometimes published in the annual reports of the coordinating bodies. Otherwise we requested the data from the relevant organisations. The beneficiaries were assigned to NACE sections using the CSO’s Business Register.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Data Sources

Much of the information was collected from the publicly available annual accounts of government departments and organisations. CSO Government Finance Statistics were also useful as they sometimes provided more detail than the published annual reports. Local authority annual financial statements contain information on subsidies and grants received from central government for specific purposes.

The largest number of environmental transfer schemes were run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We contacted the agriculture, forestry and marine divisions of the department directly in order to request data on relevant programmes along with a breakdown of the funding by national and EU contributions, and current and capital amounts.

The SEAI and BIM provided data on grant recipients that allowed for classification by institutional sector and NACE. Some of this information was published in their annual reports and some was obtained through direct requests for data to the relevant organisation.

Annual costs of tax expenditures are published on the Revenue website. Where further details were required we contacted the Revenue Statistics division directly.

Note on the Environment Fund: The Environment Fund was established under the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001. Revenue from the plastic bag levy and the landfill levy is paid into the Fund, which is then used to finance national and international environment-related organisations, programmes, projects and activities. The Environment Fund is managed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and in the programme descriptions that follow it is referred to as the national Environment Fund.

Time Series

Data on environmental subsidies and similar transfers are available from 2000-2020 in current prices. In this release we have published data from 2011-2020. The full time series from 2000-2020 is available from the CSO's dissemination database PxStat. A link to the PxStat data on environmental subsidies and similar transfers can be found at the top right-hand side of this release.

Revisions

Major revisions

We included all state funding to the EPA for capital, currrent, research and other expenditure in this release. Previously, only grants and subsidies paid out by the EPA were included. We included the Afforestation, Reconstitution of Woodlands and Woodland Improvement schemes due to updated Eurostat guidelines specifying the types of forest management activities to include as environmental subsidies and similar transfers. We revised our figures for the Irish Water First Fix Free Scheme. Amounts published in Irish Water's annual reports were cumulative figures from the beginning of the scheme and not annual amounts. This greatly reduced the amount reported under the First Fix Free Scheme.

Minor revisions

We estimated and removed support to biomass co-fired with peat from the 2016 PSO Levy amount. We combined NPWS Farm Plan Schemes into single line according to preference expressed by NPWS.

List of Programmes

Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
The contribution by Ireland to the Aarhus Convention is a current transfer to an international organisation paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment funds. As it relates to environmental regulation and information it is classified under CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

Accelerated Capital Allowances for Energy Efficient Equipment
This tax abatement scheme began in 2009 and is aimed at encouraging investment in energy-efficient equipment. It is classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Afforestation Scheme
This capital grant scheme aims to increase Ireland's forest cover by establishing 10,000 hectares of new forests and woodlands each year. The scheme is run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is classified as CReMA 11: Management of forest resources. This scheme was included as an environmental grant in the 2020 release for the first time due to amended Eurostat guidance on the types of forest to be included under CReMA 11.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS)
The main objective of AEOS was to promote farming practices that are favourable to biodiversity. Subsidies, as well as some capital grants, were provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to farmers from 2011-2018 for the implementation of measures such as maintaining traditional hay meadows or grassland. The scheme was co-funded by the EU and falls under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. It was replaced by the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS).

Air Pollution Control (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the implementation of air pollution, noise pollution and water quality control measures by local authorities. We made the assumption of an even distribution of funds between the three areas and therefore included one-third of the total as a current transfer under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate. A further one-third was assigned to CEPA 05: Noise and vibration abatement (see Noise pollution control (Local authorities) below) while the water quality expenditure is not included as its primary purpose is health rather than environment protection.

Animal Carcase Disposal Scheme
This capital grant scheme was designed to facilitate the appropriate handling, storage and collection of fallen farm animals with funding specifically provided for the improvement of wastewater collection and treatment. The programme is classified under CEPA 02: Wastewater management and CEPA 03: Waste management. We have distributed the funding evenly between the two environmental domains. The scheme began in 2002 under the National Development Plan and ran until 2010. Payments were made by the Department of Agriculture to farmers.

Aran Islands Electric Vehicle Programme
The aim of this SEAI programme, which ran from 2011 to 2014, was to demonstrate the potential for electric vehicles charged by wind energy to meet transport requirements on the Aran Islands. It was a capital grant scheme and is classified as CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
This contribution by Ireland to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 03: Waste management.

Better Energy Communities/Community Energy
This SEAI capital grant programme began in 2012 and brings together various organisations and sectors within communities under the same retrofit programme. The aim of the programme is to deliver energy savings so it is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Better Energy Homes
The SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme was introduced in 2009 with the aim of encouraging home-owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by providing a capital grant to participants. The scheme operates nationally and is open to owners of dwellings built prior to 2006. It is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Better Energy Workplaces
This SEAI capital grant programme for energy efficient retrofitting in public and private sector organisations ran from 2011-2013 and is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Bioenergy Scheme
The Bioenergy Scheme was launched first as a pilot programme in 2007 and then as an EU co-funded scheme under the Rural Development Programme in 2010. The Department of Agriculture and the EU provided establishment grants to farmers to grow Willow and Miscanthus for the production of biomass suitable for use as a renewable source of energy. The scheme is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources. It ended in 2017.

Biomass Harvesting Equipment Scheme
The purpose of this Department of Agriculture scheme, which ran from 2007 to 2010, was to support the purchase of biomass harvesting and processing equipment by farmers. The scheme is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Burren Farming for Conservation Programme
The objective of this scheme is to implement farm plans that protect the environment in the Burren, in particular the habitats listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive that occur within the Burren. Participating farmers receive subsidies from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, co-funded by the EU. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Capital Investment Plan (Wastewater)
Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan began in 2014 and aims to continue the work of the Water Services Investment Programme. We have included the wastewater investment portion of the plan under CEPA 02: Wastewater management.

Cartagena Biosafety Protocol
This contribution by Ireland to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes as its purpose is to protect biodiversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms.

Cessation of Turf-Cutting Compensation Scheme
Turf-cutting is restricted on 53 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Ireland. The Cessation of Turf-Cutting Compensation Scheme was introduced by the NPWS in 2011 to compensate households affected by the restriction. The objective is to protect biodiversity and habitats so the payments are included under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

CHP Deployment Scheme
The SEAI’s Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Deployment programme provided grants to enterprises for the deployment of small-scale CHP systems. The programme closed in 2011. It is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Climate Change and Flooding (Local Authorities)
This funding has been provided by central government to local authorities since 2018. It is classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Community Development Water Fund
Part of the River Basin Management Plan, the Community Water Development Fund supports community initiatives to improve water quality. The fund is open to all community and voluntary groups who want to get involved in the protection and restoration of clean and healthy waters in their local area. As some of the funded projects also aimed at biodiversity protection, the programme was classified at 90% under CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water and 10% under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Conservation and Management of Fisheries
Capital grants for the Conservation and Management of Fisheries were made by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources up to and including 2006, with some of the expenditure being recouped from the EU. In 2007 the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority took over the role. The programme is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 12: Management of wild flora and fauna. The national and EU share of the payments was estimated for the years 2001 and 2003.

Contaminated Soil Forum
This was a contribution made by Ireland in 2006 and 2009 to an international organisation. It was a current transfer paid from the national Environment Fund. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water.

Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context
This current transfer from Ireland to an international organisation was paid from 2008-2011 from the national Environment Fund. It sets out the obligation of countries to notify each other of all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

Corncrake Grant Scheme
This capital grant scheme is aimed at landowners who have corncrakes on or near their meadows, to encourage them to mow their meadows later in the year and to mow in a corncrake-friendly manner. It is run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. 

Data Collection Scheme
The Data Collection Scheme supports fisheries policy and management of fisheries at National and EU level through compilation and analysis of scientific and economic data on fisheries. It is co-funded by the EU under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The Marine Institute has received the funding for the scheme from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine since it began in 2016.

Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme
This SEAI grant programme was launched in 2017 to pilot deep retrofits of housing. The scheme is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

EIP Projects
The European Innovation Partnerships Initiative funds projects under the Rural Development Plan. The grants were assigned to CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. Administrative payments were included in the totals in this release.

Electric SPSV Grant Scheme
This scheme provides grants to the owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. The scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by the National Transport Authority. The funding is assigned to CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
In a joint project with ESB funding from the Climate Action Fund is being provided to develop an electric vehicle charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake. The funding is assigned to CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Electric Vehicle Programme
Since 2011, the SEAI offers capital grants to householders towards the purchase of electric vehicles. The aim of the grant scheme is to reduce air pollutant emissions so the funding was assigned to CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Energy Efficiency Retrofit Fund
This SEAI capital grant programme was available to public and private sector organisations in 2010 and 2011 for the implementation of energy efficiency projects. It is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Energy in Education Programme
This SEAI programme promotes energy efficiency in schools and is classified as a current transfer under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Environment Fund Project Grants
These projects, funded through the national Environment Fund, include the Young Environmentalist Awards, the Cork Environment Forum, the Green Awards and the SWAN and VOICE non-governmental organisations. They are classified as CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities, with the assumption of an even distribution of funding between the two classes. Not all grants paid from the national Environment Fund were included as there was a risk of double-counting, in particular with programmes that may have involved the Heritage Council or the Local Authorities.

Environment Fund NGO Grants
These payments are towards capacity-building, core funding and project funding for environmental non-government organisations in Ireland. They are classified as CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities, with the assumption of an even distribution of funding between the two classes.

Environmental Aid Scheme
The Environmental Aid Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland and provides grants to industry for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. The energy efficiency grants are classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management, and the renewable energy grants are classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources. The scheme has been in operation since 2012.

Environmentally Friendly Fishing Gear
This BIM programme promoted the use of environmentally friendly fishing techniques through capital grants and is classified under CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna. It was co-funded by the EU.

Environmental Protection Agency: State Funding for Capital and Current Expenditure
The Environmental Protection Agency receives state funding from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the national Environment Fund, and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The funding is included here under CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities, with an estimate of 90% going to CEPA 09.

Environmental Protection Agency: State Funding for Research Expenditure
State funding for the EPA's research programme is classified under CEPA 08: Environmental research and development and CReMA 15: Research and development activities for resource management. We distributed the research funding evenly between the environmental protection and resource management classes.

EU LIFE programmes – general note: EU LIFE programmes are jointly funded by the EU LIFE programme and national organisations. With a small number of exceptions, we have included only the EU contribution to the funding in order to avoid possible double-counting with other national programmes such as agri-environment schemes. Information on the total EU funding provided over the lifetime of the project was readily available; however it proved difficult to obtain details of the annual expenditure. Therefore for most of the EU LIFE programmes that follow we have distributed the total funding evenly across the project lifetime.

EU LIFE programmes: AranLIFE
The AranLIFE project began in 2014. It aims to develop and demonstrate the best conservation management practices of local farmers on the designated Natura 2000 sites of the three islands (protected habitats for flora and fauna of European importance). It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE: Atlantic CREX
The overall objective of this project is to improve the conservation status in Ireland of the corncrake by the enhancement of the SPA network and surrounding farmland. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Blackwater SAMOK
This project worked towards the conservation and restoration of endangered fish, mammals and birds found in the Munster Blackwater River Special Area of Conservation. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Blanket Bog Project
Blanket bog is listed for protection in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, which means that EU member states must protect the best representative examples of blanket bog habitat in Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). This subsidy scheme is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: BurrenLIFE
The overall objective of BurrenLIFE was to develop a new model for sustainable agriculture in the Burren in order to conserve the habitats of the region designated under the Habitats Directive. It was a subsidy to farmers and is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. This programme ran from 2005-2009. Its successor, the Burren Farming for Conservation/Burren Life programme, is currently in operation.

EU LIFE programmes: CAISIE
The full name of this programme is “Control of Aquatic Invasive Species and restoration of natural communities in Ireland”. It ran from 2009-2012 and is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: CleanWood
This programme ran from 2006 to 2010 and aimed to demonstrate the environmental and competitive benefits of recovering waste wood for reuse. It is classified under CReMA 11: Management of forest resources.

EU LIFE programmes: DEPOTEC
This project aimed to use a depolymerisation process to recycle waste tyres into products that can be used for rubber manufacturing. It ran from 2011 to 2015 and is classified under CReMA 13C: Minimisation of the intake of fossil resources for raw materials for uses other than energy production.

EU LIFE programmes: DfAuto
The DfAuto project aimed to improve environmental compliance in the automotive sector. It is classified under CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

EU LIFE programmes: Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE
This project seeks to improve water quality in County Dublin by improving domestic misconnection inspections. This programme was classified under CReMA 10/ Management of waters.

EU LIFE programmes: Duck Slurry
This project aimed to develop a mechanism for the processing of duck slurry into a solid fertiliser, thus reducing water contamination. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water.

EU LIFE programmes: EcoSens Aquamonitrix
This project aims at developing new technologies to improve water quality monitoring.  This programme was assigned to CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water.

EU LIFE programmes: Epicentre
This project aimed to support environmental performance improvements in organisations across the EU and is classified under CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

EU LIFE programmes: Farm4More
This project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and is classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

EU LIFE programmes: GeoparkLIFE
GeoparkLIFE is a conservation programme established by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark that seeks a balance between the tourism interests and the conservation needs of the Geopark region. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Golden Eagle
This project aimed to start a re-introduction programme for the golden eagle in the Glenveagh National Park in Donegal and is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: HEATSUN
The project aimed to address the issue of electrical and electronic waste management in the Dublin region and is classified under CEPA 03: Waste management.

EU LIFE programmes: IP-Peatlands and People
The project aims to change perceptions of peat as solely a fuel source to instead viewing it as an important natural asset. It is classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

EU LIFE programmes: IP-Waters of Life
This project aims to support the implementation of measures to protect and enhance high-status waters. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: KerryLIFE
The KerryLIFE project aims to promote agricultural and forestry practices that are compatible with the conservation of the pearl mussel. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: MulkearLIFE
The objective of the MulkearLIFE programme was the restoration of the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation for the sea lamprey, the Atlantic salmon and the European otter. The project was coordinated by Inland Fisheries Ireland and is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Raised Bog Project
Coillte coordinated two EU LIFE projects on raised bog restoration, the first ran between 2004-2008 and the second in 2011-2015. A third began in 2016 and was coordinated by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which also part-funded the project. Funding provided by DCHG since 2016 is included in this release. All are classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: RaptorLIFE
This EU LIFE project was launched in 2015 and aims to restore habitats for the hen harrier, the merlin, the Atlantic salmon and the brook lamprey in Duhallow in County Cork. It is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Restoring Priority Woodland
This project aimed to restore natural woodland habitat by removing non-native trees and invasive exotic shrubs. It ran from 2006-2009 and is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Roseate Tern
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Birdwatch Ireland were involved in this project to improve the conservation prospects of the roseate tern in the UK and Ireland. Three Special Protection Areas in Ireland and four in the UK were chosen for the project. Accordingly three-sevenths of the project funding was included here under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Termoncarragh
The objective of this project was to enhance the habitat conditions for breeding and wintering at Termoncarragh Lake Special Protection Area. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Tyre/Wood Block
The objective of this programme was to demonstrate the environmental and competitive benefits of a pallet block that re-used tyre-derived waste materials, sawmilling residues and woodchip from discarded pallets. It is classified under CReMA 11: Management of forest resources and CReMA 13C: Minimisation of the intake of fossil resources for raw materials for uses other than energy production. The funding was distributed evenly between the two environmental domains.

EU LIFE programmes: Waterbirds
The objective of this programme was to restore and manage wetland bird habitats. It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

EU LIFE programmes: Whey2LIFE
This project began in 2019 and aims at addressing the environmental impacts of cheese production. It is classified as CEPA 03: Waste management.

EU LIFE programmes: WISER LIFE
The objectives of the WISER LIFE project are to retrofit the Ballymun boiler house to meet best practice energy management standards and to create an environmentally educational experience for visitors to the building. The subsidy is classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities. We distributed the funding evenly between the two resource management classes.

EXEED (Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design) Programme
EXEED is an SEAI grant programme that aims to incentivise and facilitate energy efficiency in businesses by providing funding for new assets and upgrades to existing assets that are managed to optimise energy efficiency. The grant is available to any organisation, in any sector of the economy. The first payments were made in 2016. It is classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Fallen Animals Scheme
This Department of Agriculture scheme was launched in 2001 with the objective of reducing the incidence of on-farm burials of fallen animals and implementing BSE testing. It provides for the subsidised collection and disposal of fallen bovine and other farm animals. As the scheme has objectives other than environmental protection or resource management (i.e. BSE testing) it is partially included here under the domain CEPA 03: Waste management.

Farm Waste Management Scheme
The Farm Waste Management Scheme was introduced by the Department of Agriculture in 2001. It was amended in 2006 to specifically help farmers meet the requirements of the EU Nitrates Directive by providing grants for animal housing and storage facilities for silage and agricultural waste. The scheme is classified under CEPA 02: Wastewater management. It was co-funded by the EU. We estimated the EU contribution for the years 2005-2010 based on data from earlier and later years. A large increase in payments under this scheme from 2008-2010 is the reason for the peak in environmental transfers that can be observed in the tables and graphs during those years.

First Fix Free Scheme
The First Fix Free Scheme was launched in 2015 by Irish Water after a one-year pilot study in Dublin and Kildare. The scheme aims at reducing the amount of water wasted through leaks on customers' properties. It was assigned to CReMA 10: Management of water. Major revisions were made to the data for this scheme in the 2020 release.

Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM)
The Food Institutional Research Measure is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is the primary national funding mechanism for food research in higher education institutions and other public research institutes. Data on environment research grant payments was obtained directly from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The programme is assigned to CEPA 08: Environmental research and development.

Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS)
Under this scheme, which was introduced in 2007, capital grant and premium payments are made by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to farmers to encourage the establishment of woodland for biodiversity and habitat support and protection. FEPS is therefore classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. Since 2015 the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme (NWES) and the Forest Environmental Protection Scheme (FEPS) form part of the Afforestation Scheme, which is included separately in this release. Ongoing grant and premia payments for sites planted under FEPS and NWE prior to 2015 are included under FEPS and NWE. Grant payments and premia for NWES and FEPS sites newly approved under the Afforestation Scheme since 2015 are included under the Afforestation Scheme.

Forestry Research Programme
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has funded research into forests and climate change and forest biodiversity under its thematic research area “Policy and public goods”. Data on environment research grant payments was obtained directly from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The programme is assigned to CEPA 08: Environmental research and development. This programme has also been known as COFORD.

Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution
This ongoing contribution by Ireland to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment funds and is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Global Environment Facility
This ongoing contribution by government to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities. Through the Global Environment Facility, funds are made available to developing countries to help them meet the requirements of international environmental conventions and agreements.

Green Climate Fund
The Green Climate Fund aims to support the efforts of developing countries in responding to the challenge of climate change. Ireland's contributions, which began in 2016, are classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Green, Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS)
GLAS was launched in 2014 with the first payments being made in 2015. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU under the Rural Development Programme. The scheme subsidises the implementation of farming practices that promote protection of biodiversity and help combat climate change so it is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes and CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate. As the majority of payments relate to practices that encourage biodiversity, 90% of the funding is classified as CEPA 06 while the remaining 10% is assigned to CEPA 01.

Green Schools Programme
The Green Schools programme is run by An Taisce in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland and has been supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment through the Environment Fund since 2006. It is assigned to CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities. The funding was distributed evenly between the classes. 

Green Schools Travel Programme
Travel is one of the themes of the Green Schools programme (see previous entry). The Travel theme is funded separately from the other themes by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The programme has a number of objectives, including easing traffic congestion, improving children’s health and fitness and protecting the environment through reduced air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. The programme is partially included under domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Greener Homes Scheme
This SEAI capital grant programme ran from 2006 to 2011 with the aim of achieving wider deployment of renewable energy heating technologies in the residential sector. It is assigned to CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Greenways
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has developed programmes to address climate change through investment in Active Travel and Greenways. Grants are provided to local authorities to develop Greenways throughout Ireland. These grants have a number of objectives, including to promote tourism, rural development, and health and well-being, to provide sustainable transport options to people to enable them to walk or cycle as part of their everyday journeys, and to reduce emissions. As the scheme has multiple objectives it is partially included in this release (through the use of Rio Markers as described above) under the domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Heritage Council Biodiversity Grants
The Heritage Council awards grant payments to projects that enhance biodiversity at the local level in Ireland. These grants are classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Heritage Council Wildlife Grants
From 2004-2010 the Heritage Council funded projects on Irish wildlife. These grants are classified as CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Home Energy Saving Programme
This SEAI scheme was the pilot for the Better Energy Homes Scheme and is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

House of Tomorrow
House of Tomorrow was a capital grant programme run by the SEAI from 2001-2010 with the aim of encouraging energy efficient planning, design and construction practices in the Irish construction sector. It is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Industry and Business Programme
The SEAI’s Industry and Business programme supports efforts across all business sectors to improve energy efficiency. It is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Industry RD&D
This sustainable energy research, development and demonstration capital grant programme has been run by the SEAI since 2007. It is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (ICRAG): Marine Geoscience and Groundwater Research
This research funding is provided by Science Foundation Ireland. It is classified as CEPA 08: Research and development for environmental protection.

Landfill Remediation
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment provides capital for the remediation of former landfill sites. The programme is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water.

Landfill Remediation (Environment Fund)
This is capital funding for the landfill remediation programme (see previous entry) sourced from the national Environment Fund. This expenditure is classified as CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water.

Litter Management (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises litter management measures by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

Lobster V-Notching Scheme
The Lobster V-notching Scheme is an ongoing, EU co-funded capital grant scheme run by BIM that aims to protect female lobsters so that they can breed a number of times. As the programme objective is to preserve lobster stocks it is classified under CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund
The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund aims to promote, at local level, the objectives of the Agenda 21 action plan on sustainable development which was agreed at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Capital grants are paid from the national Environment Fund. The programme is included here under CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities and CReMA 16: Other resource management activities. The funding was distributed evenly between the classes.

Local Authority Estate Energy Retrofit
This capital transfer from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government aims to make local authority dwellings more energy efficient and less costly to heat. It is classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Locally-led Freshwater Pearl Mussel Programme
The Freshwater Pearl Mussel scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the EU. The first payments took place in 2019. The programme was classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Locally-led Hen Harrier Programme
The Hen Harrier Programme was launched in 2017 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and aims at the conservation of the Hen Harrier species. Farmers are given grants to manage their fields in ways that will improve the habitat condition of the Hen Harrier. The programme was classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Low Emission Slurry Scheme (LESS)
The principal objective of LESS is to promote the purchase of new equipment for the spreading of slurry by farmers, where this equipment results in lower emissions of nitrogen oxides to air. It is jointly funded by the European Union and the national exchequer and the first payments were made in 2017. It is classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Low Emissions Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme
The funding supports a reduced tolling scheme for Low Emissions Vehicles, broadening the previous Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme. This scheme is funded under the Department of Transport's Carbon Reduction Programme, with the objective of reducing transport emissions and building a climate resilient low carbon transport sector by 2050. The tolling scheme is administrated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). It is classified under CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Marine Biodiversity Scheme
The objectives of the Marine Biodiversity Scheme are to reduce the impact of fisheries and aquaculture on the marine environment and to protect aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems. The EU and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine co-fund projects on environment impact assessment, data collection, habitat mapping and habitat restoration under this capital grant scheme. It is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Marine Environment Protection Scheme
This BIM programme promoted an Environmental Management System for fishing operation and seafood produced in accordance with the system. It was co-funded by the EU and is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Microgeneration Scheme
The SEAI’s Microgeneration programme provided funding to households and businesses to deploy small-scale electricity generators using renewable energy sources. It is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Minamata Convention on Mercury
Ireland's contribution to the Minamata Convention is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

National Biodiversity Data Centre
The National Biodiversity Data Centre was set up in 2007 and is funded by the Heritage Council. It is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. We included Heritage Council funding for maintaining biological records prior to 2007 under this programme. The National Biodiversity Data Centre works with other organisations such as the EPA and Inland Fisheries Ireland on projects such as monitoring native species like Irish butterflies, marine mammals and wild crops, as well as invasive species.

Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) Scheme
The aim of the NWC programme is to support the appropriate restoration of existing native woodlands as well as the ecosystems and habitats that native woodlands support. The funding is classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. Funding is provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Native Woodland Establishment (NWE) Scheme
Since 2007 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has made capital grant and premium payments to farmers to promote the establishment of native woodland species such as oak and ash with the objective of protecting their associated biodiversity and habitats. The NWE scheme is therefore classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes. Since 2015 the NWE has been funded as part of the Afforestation Scheme, which is included separately in this release. Ongoing grant and premia payments for sites planted under FEPS and NWE prior to 2015 are included under FEPS and NWE. Grant payments and premia for NWES and FEPS sites newly approved under the Afforestation Scheme since 2015 are included under the Afforestation Scheme.

Natterjack Toad Grant Scheme
This NPWS scheme is aimed at getting farmers involved in natterjack toad conservation by digging ponds and is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Neighbourwood
Neighbourwoods are accessible, close-to-home woodland amenities. Grant payments are made to landowners, farmers and local authorities to provide access to local communities to their woodland. As this Department of Agriculture scheme has biodiversity as well as recreational objectives, it was partially included under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Noise Pollution Control (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the implementation of air pollution, noise pollution and water quality control measures by local authorities. We included one-third of the total as a current transfer under CEPA 05: Noise and Vibration Abatement (see also Air pollution control (Local authorities)).

NPWS Farm Plan Schemes
Under these NPWS Farm Plan Schemes, capital grant payments are made to farmers in Special Protection Areas to encourage them to protect the habitats of birds that are listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive[7]. These programmes are classified as CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Ocean Energy Programme
This SEAI programme began in 2008 and funds research into the harnessing of ocean energy for use as a renewable energy source. It is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

OECD Environmental Compliance Indicators
This contribution by government to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from the national Environment Fund. It is classified under the environmental class CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

On-farm Investment: Pollution Control
This capital grant scheme was run by the Department of Agriculture until 2006. Figures for 2004-2006 are estimated based on payments from previous years and total grants paid under the on-farm investment scheme in 2004-2006. The programme is assigned to CEPA 02: Wastewater management.

Operation and Aftercare of Landfill (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the operation, maintenance and aftercare of landfill by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

Operation and Maintenance of Waste to Energy Facilities
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the operation and maintenance of waste to energy facilities by local authorities. This funding is assigned to the domain CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Organic Farming Scheme
This EU co-funded Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine scheme is classified under CEPA 04: Protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface water as per Eurostat methodological guidelines for the Environmental Subsidies and Similar Transfers data collection module. The EU and national contributions to the total funding were estimated for the years 2009-2010 based on later years.

OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
This contribution by government to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from the national Environment Fund. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

PSO Levy: Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources
The PSO Levy is charged to electricity consumers in Ireland. Some of the funding is used to subsidise electricity generation from renewable sources and is classified under CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources. Subsidies to biomass co-fired with peat were excluded from the total funding to renewable energy sources from 2017-2019. The subsidy to biomass co-firing with peat was estimated and removed for 2016.

Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme
The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme provides capital grants to retrofit projects demonstrating energy-efficient technology upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. The programme is run by the SEAI and is classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Public Sector Energy Programme
SEAI capital funding towards the Energy Management Bureau, the Public Sector Design Studies Support Scheme and the Public Sector Model Solutions Investments Support Scheme is included under this heading. The schemes were in operation between 2002 and 2010. They are classified as CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
The RPII was funded by the Department of the Environment until it was merged with the EPA in 2014. Its main objective was to protect the Irish public from the health and safety risks posed by ionising radiation. A portion of the funding (approximately 10%) it received from the exchequer was included under CEPA 07: Protection against Radiation.

Rainwater Harvesting Scheme
The objective of this Department of Agriculture scheme is to conserve water by maximising the use of rainfall run-off. It offers capital grants towards rainwater harvesting facilities and equipment. It is classified under CReMA 10: Management of waters.

Reconstitution of Woodlands Scheme
Ash dieback is a disease that affects ash trees. It is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (previously known as Chalara fraxinea). This Department of Agriculture scheme aims to restore forests affected by the disease. This scheme was included under the environmental domain CReMA 11: Management of forest resources.

Recycling Facilities (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the operation and maintenance of waste treatment facilities by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

ReHeat Deployment Scheme
The ReHeat Deployment programme aimed to increase the deployment of renewable heating technologies (e.g. solar thermal, bio-energy and heat pump) in the commercial and industrial sectors. This SEAI programme closed in 2011 and is classified under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Renewable Energy Educational Support
This SEAI programme provided information to Irish organisations interested in using renewable energy sources for energy production. It ran from 2005 to 2008 and is allocated to CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Renewable Energy Information Office (REIO)/Electricity and Heat Infrastructure
The REIO and the Electricity and Heat Infrastructure grants both formed part of SEAI’s Alternative Energy programme and are classified under CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Renewable Energy RD&D
The Renewable Energy Research, Development and Demonstration programme was launched by the SEAI in 2001. It is a capital grant programme and is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Research Stimulus Fund
The Research Stimulus Fund (RSF) provides funding to Irish research institutes for 'public good' agricultural production related research. A number of environmental protection research projects are funded under the RSF, which is run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The funding to these projects is assigned to CEPA 08: Environmental research and development.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)
REPS was an agri-environment scheme that closed in 2015. It was co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU, and subsidised farming practices that were compatible with the protection of biodiversity. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Rural Wastewater Programme (Capital)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government funds capital investment in rural wastewater facilities through the Rural Water Programme. The programme is assigned to CEPA 02: Wastewater management.

Salmon Conservation Fund
This programme for the rehabilitation of salmon stocks is funded through salmon fishing licences and prioritises rivers in special areas of conservation which have the greatest prospect of recovery. It is run by Inland Fisheries Ireland and is assigned to CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Salmon Hardship Scheme
BIM ran this compensation scheme for drift-net salmon fishermen from 2007-2009. It is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Schools/Education Programme
The SEAI runs energy workshops in schools throughout Ireland under this programme which is classified as a current transfer under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management.

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (fisheries conservation)
Capital grants for the Conservation and Management of Fisheries were made by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources up to and including 2006, with some of the expenditure being recouped from the EU. In 2007 the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority took over the role. The programme is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 12: Management of wild flora and fauna.

Seafood Environmental Management Programme Part A
The Seafood Environmental Management & Certification Grant Aid Scheme encouraged the implementation of a Seafood Environmental Management System (SEMS) on Irish fishing vessels. Part A involves financial payments to fishing collectives. The programme was run by BIM and was co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund. It is classified under the resource management domain CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna. This scheme is now closed.

Seafood Environmental Management Programme Part B
Part B of this scheme concerns financial assistance to fishing vessel owners (operators). See Part A above for further details. This scheme is now closed.

Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Schemes
The aim is to increase the availability and quality of forest tree seed through supporting the management of seed stands, and the establishment of new seed orchards, thus conserving and developing indigenous forest genetic resources. It is assigned to CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

Solar PV Scheme
This SEAI grant scheme supports the installation of Solar PV panels and battery energy storage systems. It is aimed at households and is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources. Grant payments began in 2019.

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
This current transfer is paid from the national Environment Fund. It is a contribution by Ireland to an international organisation and is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Street Cleaning (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises street cleaning by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

Support Scheme for Renewable Heat
Grant payments under this SEAI scheme began in 2020. It is classified as CReMA 13A: Production of energy from renewable resources.

Sustainable Fisheries Scheme
This programme is run by BIM and is co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund. It is classified under CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Traditional Buildings Scheme
The Traditional Buildings Scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is available to farmers participating in GLAS (see above). It is classified under CEPA 06: Protection of biodiversity and landscapes.

UN Environment Fund
The annual contribution by Ireland to the UN Environment Fund is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental class CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
This annual contribution by Ireland to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

UNECE European Environmental Bureau
This international funding commitment is classified under the environmental class CEPA 09: Other environmental protection activities. It is a current transfer paid from the national Environment Fund.

Vehicle Registration Tax Relief on Electric Vehicles
This scheme was introduced to promote the use of electric vehicles, thereby reducing air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Vienna Convention/Montreal Protocol on the Protection of the Ozone Layer
This ongoing annual contribution by Ireland to an international organisation is a current transfer paid from Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment funds. It is classified under the environmental domain CEPA 01: Protection of ambient air and climate.

Warmer Homes Scheme
The Warmer Homes scheme began in 2001. This SEAI programme supports energy efficiency improvements to privately owned homes experiencing fuel poverty and is classified as a social transfer in kind under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management. It was partially included for its environmental objectives.

Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme
The SEAI Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme aims to make homes warmer and healthier to live in. It does this by providing extensive energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty who are living with chronic respiratory conditions. It is classified as a social transfer in kind under CReMA 13B: Heat/Energy saving and management. It was partially included for its environmental objectives.

Waste Collection Services (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises waste collection services by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

Waste Management Planning and Regulations (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises waste regulation, monitoring and enforcement activities and waste management planning activities by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to CEPA 03: Waste management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for waste management.

Waste Processing Facilities Scheme
The waste processing facilities scheme provides capital grants to farmers to invest in on-farm anaerobic digestion facilities. The funding is provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is classified as CEPA 03: Waste management.

Wastewater Treatment Facilities (Local Authorities)
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government subsidises the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities by local authorities across Ireland. This funding is assigned to the domain CEPA 02: Wastewater management. Estimates were made for the years 2000-2008 based on total subsidies to local authorities for wastewater management.

Water Services Investment Programme (Wastewater)
The Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) was run by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government up to and including 2013 with the objective of funding major capital water and wastewater schemes. As water treatment and water quality are mainly health issues the part of the WSIP that relates to water schemes is not included here. The portion that relates to wastewater management is included under CEPA 02: Wastewater management.

Whitefish Fleet Decommissioning Scheme
The whitefish fleet decommissioning scheme ran from 2005-2010 and was a compensation programme funded by the EU and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The objective of the scheme was to improve the management of fish stocks so the programme is assigned to CReMA 12: Management of Wild Flora and Fauna. The EU and national contributions were estimated for the years 2008-2009 based on the figures from later years.

Woodland Improvement Scheme
This scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and provides financial support to forest owners to help meet the cost of thinning broadleaf forests and broadleaf mixtures. It is classified under the environmental domain CReMA 11: Management of forest resources. 

List of Climate-related Subsidies

Potentially Environmentally Damaging Subsidies

Certain subsidies or other support measures that have social or economic objectives may incentivise behaviour that could be damaging to the environment. For example, transport fuel tax rebates encourage the consumption of fossil fuels. Such transfers are referred to as potentially environmentally damaging subsidies (PEDS). The CSO included preliminary data on PEDS in the 2016 release and developed a new separate research paper on Fossil Fuel and Similar Subsidies 2012-2016 in June 2019.

Fossil Fuel Subsidies are a subset of PEDS. The CSO has a new annual release on Fossil Fuel Subsidies. In 2021, data on fossil fuel subsidies from 2000-2019 were published.

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