Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
68. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding provided for the just transition fund; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14328/20]
View answerThe Just Transition Fund is a key pillar of the Government's just transition plan for the midlands. Up to €11 million will be available in 2020 for projects focusing on retraining workers and proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region, and supporting communities to transition to a low carbon economy. This is financed through an Exchequer allocation of €6m from carbon tax revenues and an additional €5 million committed by ESB. I am informed by the secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team (MRTT) that over 150 projects were received via Stage 1 - the MRTT - START engagement process. This stage closed on Friday, 12 June. Projects that have registered at the first stage may now proceed to submit an application for funding to my Department, subject to meeting eligibility requirements and terms and conditions for funding published by my Department on Friday, 19 June. Projects have until Friday, 17 July to submit proposals for funding. Evaluation of submitted proposals will commence shortly afterwards and initial disbursement of funding to successful projects will take place following the conclusion of this process.
