Spring cleaning for climate action involves transforming traditional cleaning into an eco-friendly, waste-reducing and sustainable activity. Key actions include decluttering for charity, using non-toxic cleaners, repairing items, digital decluttering and participating in the community such as Ireland's National Spring Clean in April, to remove litter, improve local biodiversity and lower carbon emissions. By focusing on these areas, you can turn your spring cleaning into a tangible, positive action against climate change.

This month's newsletter features information on the following:

• Local Sports & Activities Plan and County Outdoor Recreation Plan Public Engagement Events / Online Surveys - have your say in shaping sports, activity and recreation in County Wexford by attending a public engagement event in any of the County's five municipal districts or via online surveys. 
• Creative Climate Action Fund 111 (2026-2029) - find out about the new Creative Ireland Programme €6.5 million fund to support large-scale creative projects to engage communities in climate action.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - a great way to purchase that bike you've always dreamed of but couldn't afford to pay for in one go. Find out more about this scheme whereby a participating employer pays for a bicycle and the employee pays back through a salary deduction arrangement. 
• Over 55s Climate Course  - a brief update on this motivational and engaging course which aims to demystify climate change for its participants. 

Until next month! 

The Climate Action Wexford Team. 

If you are interested in having your say in the development of Wexford County Council's Local Sports & Activities Plan, and its County Outdoor Recreation Plan, now is your chance.

Public Engagement Events are taking place in each of County Wexford's five Municipal Districts, as per the dates listed above.

There are also online surveys for anyone unable to attend the public engagement evenings which can be accessed via the QR codes above, or via the links below:

• County Outdoor Recreation Plan: Wexford County Council - Outdoor Recreation Plan – Fill in form
• Local Sports Plan (Residents): Wexford County Council - Local Sports Plan – Fill in form
• Sports Plan / Outdoor Recreation Plan Children and Young People Survey: Wexford Local Sports Plan / Outdoor Recreation Plan  - Children and Young People Survey  – Fill in form
• Local Sports Plan (Stakeholders): Wexford County Council -  Sports & Physical Recreation Plan - Stakeholder Survey – Fill in form

The Creative Ireland Programme, through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (DCCS) in collaboration with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) and the Department of the Taoiseach (D/Taoiseach), is delighted to invite applications to Creative Climate Action Fund III, a competitive fund of €6.5 million for creative projects that can connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change, and can transform that connection into understanding and action.

Innovative projects of scale and ambition that lead with a strong artistic, cultural, or creative approach to enable climate action in a community of place or practice are being sought. At the core of this fund is a focus on transforming understanding into specific and tangible climate actions. 

Further details are available at: www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-grant-call-2025/ 

Closing Date for Applications: 3pm, Wednesday, 15th April, 2026

Why not consider treating yourself to a new bike and becoming more active in 2026!

Under the scheme, a participating employer pays for a bicycle and the employee pays back through a salary deduction arrangement of up to 12 months. The employee is not liable for tax, PRSI or USC on their repayments.

A typical example might be a bike retailing at €750 ends up costing you around €520 / €10 week (or less depending on personal taxation circumstances). Can be availed of every four years e.g. if you previously availed of the scheme at any point in 2022 then you can apply again today. Check first with your employer to see if the scheme operates in your workplace.

Further details are available HERE

Jacinta Barrins, a retired UN Diplomat, and former University of Galway staff member with a lifelong career focused on the Environment and Climate Change, is helping to demystify climate change for the course participants by explaining, in simple language, what climate change is, and by informing on practical everyday actions that can be taken to help with its reduction.