Environmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (61, 62)

Denis Naughten

Question:

61. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 16 June 2021, the progress to date of the National Parks and Wildlife Service peatland scheme for large-scale peatlands restoration in 2021; the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42488/21]

Denis Naughten

Question:

62. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 16 June 2021, the details of the progress to date of Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project and the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42489/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.

The Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna.

The Government approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands project to rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of peatlands under the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme. The Scheme has resulted in Bord Na Móna reassigning employees from peat harvesting activities into rehabilitation operations, while supporting the natural environment and biodiversity of the peatlands.

In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a programme to restore Ireland’s raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas, a key action of the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022. In April 2020, following a public procurement process, the Department awarded a contract to Bord Na Móna  to project manage the implementation of the latest element of the Department’s national protected raised bog restoration programme, to provide other necessary professional services and undertake the restoration measures on behalf of his Department.

Combined, these schemes will support 350 jobs - taking seasonality into account, this equates to 230 full-time equivalent roles. Of the 350 jobs, approximately 330 will be from the existing workforce.

With respect specifically to the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme, to date across counties Galway, Meath, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon, Laois and Longford, my Department has been advised by Bord na Mona that 220 jobs have been assigned. This excludes BnM employees working on rehabilitation activities under contract for the NPWS. Rehabilitation under the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme has commenced on 16 bogs and all operatives involved have been re-assigned from peat harvesting activities.

I have asked BnM to provide the further detailed information directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 61.