'Huge demand' for grants from Mayo's Climate Action Fund

Mayo County Council’s Climate Action Community Fund was significantly oversubscribed in 2026, with 55 applications received and 26 projects awarded grants. 

While the value of funding requested for phase one amounted to €2.1 million, the final allocation amounted to €609,000.

Administrator of the scheme, Lorna Dennehy, who is Mayo's Community Climate Action Officer, told a meeting of the council's Environment and Climate Change Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that phase one of the programme is now complete while phase two has just started. However, early signs show the second phase is also oversubscribed, indicating a clear need for more funding.

Ms Dennehy said a lot of the projects related to the installation of solar panels and measures that produced renewable energy, energy savings and lower carbon emissions, as well as travel-related items such as electric vehicle (EV) charging points and cycle infrastructure. Other projects related to heat pumps, LED lighting and food, including funding for polytunnels and composting, while reuse and recycle measures in some projects were applied to materials such as plastic.

Offering one example of the projects that had been supported, Ms Dennehy noted that an emergency preparedness kit went to Inishturk Community Club CLG, which will mean that solar panels in the community centre can provide energy in the event of an electricity blackout. This would allow for heated blankets, lights, hot water, food and drink flasks. Rechargeable power stations can additionally power large appliances such as fridges. She added that huge cost savings are being made in communities where projects were carried out, with so much energy being run off solar panels.

Ms Dennehy also showed how the fund is helping with biodiversity, with items such as Swift boxes, Housemartin towers and Sandmartin walls installed in Kiltimagh Amenity Park. 

“They did so much with a grant of €50,000 and this is a great amenity in the middle of town.” 

A total of 43 applications have been received to date for phase two, with €1.9m in funding requested. Ultimately, 24 projects have been approved and monies allocated amount to €678,000.

A second scheme funded by IPB Insurance (IPB Leaf), which gave money to every local authority that provided matching funds of €50,000, has also proved hugely successful, with 26 applications receiving grants.

The presentation was welcomed by SPC members with Cllr Peter Flynn saying the government should be "throwing money" at the programme considering the huge impact relatively small projects are having on towns and villages. 

Cllr Sean Carey said it was amazing the amount of projects and funds allocated, adding that all communities have benefitted. He complimented all involved on their great work and achievements.

SPC chairperson Cllr Harry Barrett said being self-reliant is becoming more important than ever and he believed the programme would be expanded significantly.

“Tanks of kerosene now cost almost €1,600 to fill, which is unsustainable and really a national security issue, so we have to expand these schemes into every housing estate in County Mayo. We have to reach a point where we are no longer reliant on kerosene and carbon. It annoys me when Electric Ireland reports rising profits while the CEO is on a €400,000 salary. We don’t want to see families struggling with their fuel and electricity bills. We have to get costs down because we don’t want to see people suffering.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.