Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent public consultation on the Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC Community Benefit Fund.  We are currently reviewing all the feedback received on the proposed operation of the Fund.

At this stage of the establishment of the Fund, we are seeking expressions of interest from individuals who may wish to participate in a voluntary capacity on the Fund Committee for a minimum period of 3 years.

The Fund Committee will at a minimum:

1. Be made up of the Developer and Volunteer Community Representatives
2. Develop funding strategy/objectives
3. Decide on applications for funding against the Fund’s terms and conditions
4. Ensure funding decisions are in line with RESS “A Good Practice Principles Rulebook”

The Fund Committee will be the decision-making body to make recommendations on the allocation of Funding to not-for-profit-community enterprises in line with the evaluation criteria of the Fund.

It will undertake a vital role in supporting the strategic purpose of the Fund and undertaking the assessment and evaluation of all funding proposals in line with the Fund’s terms and conditions. The Developer – Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the Fund is fully compliant with the T&Cs.

It is envisaged that the Fund Committee would have a minimum of five people, including the Developer. The Fund Committee should aim to represent the widest cross-section of the community as possible.

The volunteer work of the Fund Committee involves significant commitment. Each member is expected to engage collaboratively with other Fund Committee members in supporting the implementation of a strategic vision for the Fund and to support the application of this strategy to the assessment and evaluation of all funding applications. A certain amount of time and work will be involved so volunteers need to be mindful of the responsibility and dedication involved.

At a minimum, there will be six key responsibilities of each Fund Committee Member including:

1. Determining and reviewing the Fund Strategy with the support of Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC
2. Attend an induction session and any further training
3. Reviewing funding proposals
4. Scoring all applications objectively
5. Attending Fund Committee meetings
6. Promoting the Fund locally

The Fund will seek to promote openness and transparency in all matters pertaining to the Funds and as a result, the Annual Report on the Fund will include names and affiliations – representations, if any – of all Committee Members.

Should you wish to put your name forward for consideration for the Fund Committee Panel, please complete the expression of interest form below by 5pm on the  5th September 2025.  Please note that a CV attachment is also required as part of the expression of interest form.

• Expression of Interest Form

After expressions of interest have been received, they will be reviewed and considered against, at a minimum, the following over-arching principles with respect to the establishment of the Fund Committee:

1. The Fund Committee should aim to achieve geographic balance of representation from communities within the expected “Area of Benefit” for the Fund (10km) and every effort will be made to ensure those communities closest are represented in the first instance.
2. The Fund Committee should achieve as broad a cross section of the local community as possible.
3. Ideally, those appointed to the Fund Committee should represent some strand of community life.
4. Ideally, a variety of occupations or skills sets would be available on the Fund Committee.

Fund Committee members will participate in accordance with the highest governance and reporting standards as pertains to the Funds.  A code of conduct and conflict of interest policy will be established and signed by all members of the Fund Committee.

All submissions will be of strict confidentiality.

The Community Benefit Fund will open later this year for applications.

Derrinlough Wind Farm DAC will hold an information session in the locality to coincide with this to provide the Community with an opportunity to learn more about the Fund and the application process.

If you would like to be notified of these events and other associated Fund activities join our mailing list, or alternatively please contact Enda on 087 057 9141.

• Join our mailing list

Benefits arising from the construction and operation of the Derrinlough Wind Farm project will include:

• A Community Benefit Fund (including a Near Neighbour Scheme)
• Supporting up to 120 jobs at peak construction
• Substantial rates paid to the relevant Local Authority
• Supporting a number of long term, high quality technical jobs in operations and maintenance
• Upgrading of the road infrastructure in the vicinity of the wind farm (as required)
• Payment of taxes from the project, and dividends from BnM to the State
• Indirect employment created through the sub-supply of a wide range of products and services

At a Regional Level, the new development will help to supply the rising demand for electricity, resulting from renewed
economic growth in the Midlands region. During construction, additional employment will be created in the region through
the supply of services and materials to the wind farm.

At a National Level, the new development will play a significant role in contributing to the country’s national renewable
electricity production and carbon emissions reduction targets by 2030, while also supporting a growing economy and
population. During operation, the wind farm will eliminate the need to generate the equivalent amount of electricity from fossil
fuels, and it will therefore help to reduce total national greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, it will reduce our dependence
on external energy sources, help improve our energy security of supply and make a major contribution to Ireland’s Climate
Action Plan 2019, which has set a target of 9GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030.