Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2021
30. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland’s Territorial Plan due to be submitted to Europe in September 2021 as a requirement for access to the EU Just Transition Fund for the period 2021-2027 will be submitted by that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/21]
View answerThe EU Just Transition Fund is designed to support the most affected regions in EU Member States to meet the challenges associated with achieving the EU's climate targets for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The Just Transition Fund will invest in specific projects that will contribute to alleviating the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment. In order to access the Just Transition Fund, Ireland must prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan for approval by the European Commission. The Territorial Plan will define the regions eligible for funding and the measures to be funded, in line with the relevant EU regulation. The Department is working on developing the Plan and this is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The Department has been supported to develop the Territorial Plan through technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme. Consultants were selected by the Commission to assist in developing an evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. The consultants have already had extensive engagements with national and regional stakeholders to inform their work, through one-to-one interviews, written submissions and online group workshops. Key stakeholders engaged during this phase include the Just Transition Commissioner, the Midlands Regional Transition Team, Local Authorities, Regional Assemblies, ICTU, BnM, ESB, relevant Government Departments, NESC, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Solas and the Education and Training Boards. It is intended to hold a public consultation on a draft of the territorial plan in the Autumn.
