I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 172, 173, 177 and 178 together.
As stated in the Commissioner's report, the community workshops scheduled for April 2020 to be hosted by START as part of the Midlands process were delayed because of the national and international restrictions related to Covid-19. This was in line with public health guidance.
The EU Platform for Coal Regions in Transition (START) has developed useful learning in relation to how just transition has been supported in other regions across Europe and these can be found online. For example, its toolkit 'Governance of Transitions' stresses the need for multiple stakeholders to coordinate efforts, ensuring a participatory and inclusive process, and the involvement of civil society. This is consistent with the approach that will be adopted by Government.
The first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey was published on 22 May. The report reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the region, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the Midlands region, and for Bord na Móna workers and their families and communities, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report contains important recommendations; the Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder.
Actions underway includes €20 million for a new energy efficiency retrofitting scheme in the Midlands, €5 million for peatland rehabilitation outside of the Bord na Móna estate, and €6 million for a dedicated new just transition fund with ESB agreeing to contribute an additional €5 million to this fund. The call for proposals for the Just Transition Fund closed on Friday 17 July.
The Government has also committed to measures to support a much higher level of bog restoration on Bord na Móna bogs, which will provide for a continued role for existing Bord na Móna workers on these bogs. €15m was provided in the July Stimulus for this purpose.
These actions will advance community and worker engagement in respect of impacted individuals and communities.
The Programme for Government commits to publishing a Just Transition Plan to frame the work of a permanent Commission for Just Transition. The plan will identify and prepare for the challenges that will arise in a number of sectors and regions, recognising that there will be a variety of different transitions, and that it is clear that there will be no simple one-size fits all approach.