Mayo minister confirms €29m. to support jobs, reduce waste and help communities reuse and repair

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Alan Dillon has today announced over €29 million in funding to support projects across Ireland that will help communities reduce waste, reuse more, and build a more sustainable local economy.

The funding, provided through the Circular Economy Fund, will support initiatives in every region of the country—from community repair hubs and reuse centres to innovative business projects that cut waste and make better use of materials.

This means more opportunities for people to repair items instead of throwing them away, more affordable second-hand goods, and more local jobs in areas such as repair, refurbishment, and sustainable manufacturing.

Minister Dillon said: “This €29 million investment is about making the circular economy real for people in their everyday lives, whether that’s being able to repair a bike, buy a refurbished appliance, or see less waste in their community.

"We are supporting practical projects in every part of the country that will help households save money, reduce waste, and create jobs locally.”

The Circular Economy Fund will directly support:

Community reuse and repair initiatives – helping people fix and reuse items like bikes, furniture, and electrical goods.

Local clean-up and anti-dumping projects – improving neighbourhoods and tackling illegal dumping.

Food waste reduction programmes – helping households and businesses waste less food.

Business innovation – supporting Irish companies to design products that last longer and use fewer raw materials.

Projects will be delivered by local authorities, community groups, and enterprises across the country, ensuring that both urban and rural communities’ benefit.

A circular economy focuses on keeping materials in use for as long as possible – through reuse, repair, and recycling—rather than throwing them away.

The Circular Economy Fund is financed through environmental levies on waste and single-use items, meaning money raised from waste is reinvested into solutions that reduce it.

Minister Dillon added: “People want practical solutions that make a difference in their daily lives. This fund is about supporting those solutions—whether that’s a local repair service, a reuse centre, or a business finding smarter ways to use materials.

By working with communities and businesses, we can reduce waste, support local jobs, and build a more sustainable future for every region.”

The 2026 funding programme is aligned with Ireland’s new Circular Economy Strategy which sets out a national plan to reduce waste, improve resource use, and support sustainable economic growth.