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Just Transition Fund

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Questions (232, 234, 235, 237, 238)

Barry Cowen

Question:

232. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new jobs projected under strand 1 and strand 2 from those projects provisionally offered just transition funding; and if a breakdown of those jobs will be made available. [17128/21]

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Barry Cowen

Question:

234. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the evaluation process for just transition funding included mechanisms that would avoid duplication and or support a coordinated approach to the sustainable development of the midlands and its most affected communities. [17130/21]

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Barry Cowen

Question:

235. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the applicants for just transition funding were required to show proof of ownership and grant of planning permission for capital projects as part of the application process; and the steps that have been taken to verify submissions by applicants. [17131/21]

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Barry Cowen

Question:

237. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the provisionally funded projects based on the utilisation of Bord na Móna land in which agreement had been reached with Bord na Móna for that land use in each instance. [17133/21]

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Barry Cowen

Question:

238. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the list of each of the projects in counties impacted by the provisional offers in strand 2 were determined by the applicant or by the evaluation committee. [17134/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 234, 235, 237 and 238 together.

My Department will be able to provide details on jobs supported by strand 1 and strand 2 projects once funding agreements are in place under both strands.

Project proposals were evaluated by a number of evaluation teams established by my Department, with relevant expertise provided by other Government Departments and Agencies. Provisional offers were made to projects which successfully met the evaluation criteria and terms and conditions set out in the published call documentation.  Further details can be found in ‘Section 6 –JTF Evaluation Criteria’ of the Department's call Information Booklet.

Key objectives of this evaluation process, based on the published evaluation criteria, included avoiding duplication of existing funding streams, with applications required to indicate if the proposed project had already secured Exchequer or EU funding; and the prioritisation of projects which could demonstrate potential added value at a regional level. 

Of the projects that have already concluded funding agreements with my Department, three projects are based on the potential utilisation of Bord na Móna land on which agreement has been reached with Bord na Móna in each instance. Two of these projects are feasibility studies and no works on Bord na Móna property are envisaged as part of these projects. The third project, Extension to Peatland Biodiversity Boardwalk 4th Final Phase, at Lullymore, County Kildare, envisages the construction of a boardwalk over Bord na Mona peatlands that have been leased to the applicant on a long-term basis.

Evidence of ownership or permission to use land, property or facilities, and relevant statutory permissions, where applicable, must be provided by projects to my Department in advance of a funding agreement being finalised. In certain cases, relevant permissions may not be required until later in a project and evidence of these having being secured will form part of the relevant project milestones, or a contractual condition, as appropriate. In each case, it is a matter for the project sponsor to secure relevant permissions for the proposed use of land, property or other facilities.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 230.
Questions Nos. 234 and 235 answered with Question No. 232.
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