Disclaimer: This page exclusively serves information purposes and is not an exhaustive database of projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Notably, the map provides a snapshot of projects based on the current status of their implementation. It does not reflect the distribution of the projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility across the different areas within Ireland. The map will be regularly updated to include additional projects and information. The showcase of the projects in this page is without prejudice to any future assessment by the Commission in the context of the verification of the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility
The measure references mentioned below are those contained in the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision approving the Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan and allow for easy identification of the measures
For more info on the projects, please contact the Commission Representation in Ireland: eu-ie-info-request
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (eu-ie-info-request[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
National Grand Challenges Programme
(reference 1.5 in the Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan)
The National Challenge Fund is a €65 million research fund, funded by grants from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, that aims at developing solutions to key challenges in the areas of Green Transition and Digital Transformation. The fund is coordinated and administered by Science Foundation Ireland. This is a prestigious, high-profile research initiative of national importance that will fund 90 research teams to direct research activity towards pressing societal and economic problems. The National Challenge Fund encourages collaboration between the academic research community, government departments, agencies, enterprises, and societal stakeholders to identify challenges and enable action to address the green and digital transitions.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Mairead McGuinness announced on 13 February the first 26 teams to receive funding. Implementation of the whole measure is expected by 31 July 2026.
More information can be found on the Irish government webpage here and on the National Challenge Fund webpage here.
Enhanced Rehabilitation of Peatlands
(reference 1.6 in the Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan)
The Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan will provide EUR 108 million in grant funding to the rehabilitation of 33,000 hectares of peatlands across 82 bogs owned by a semi-state-owned company, Bord Na Móna. The rehabilitation will cover peatlands previously harvested for peat extraction for electricity generation. As such, this investment will deliver a range of climate action benefits from greenhouse gas mitigation through reduced carbon emissions and carbon storage. The measure will also contribute to changing land use from peat extraction to carbon sequestration, thus contributing to increased biodiversity, supporting bog amenity and eco-systems, and improvements in water quality and flood risk management. Local communities will also benefit from the additional space for people to enjoy the outdoors.
Rehabilitation works on 19 bogs began in 2021 and a further 19 bogs commenced rehabilitation works in 2022. Implementation of the whole measure is expected by 31 August 2026.
More information and press releases can be found on the webpage of Bord na Móna here.
Commissioner Simson with Bord na Móna officials
Programme to provide digital infrastructure and funding to schools
(reference 2.3 in the Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan)
The Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan provides EUR 67 million in grant funding to ensure that primary and post-primary school pupils are equipped with appropriate digital skills. The provision of internet to schools across the country is key to ensuring a fair digital transition. This project will benefit communities across Ireland and is directly related to the next generation. The investment will provide high-speed broadband connectivity through the installation of routers in at least 990 primary schools. The provision of high-speed connectivity for all schools will provide the basis for early development of digital skills, and enable young people to become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens to participate fully in society and the economy. The investment will also support schools by providing digital devices and software to disadvantaged students.
The first EUR 50 million funding to primary and post-primary schools to address the digital divide was issued in December 2021. Implementation of the whole measure is expected by 30 September 2023.
More information be found on the Irish government webpages here and here.
Pillar: Digital transformation