Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected funding to be made available from the Just Transition Fund between 2021 and 2030 to deliver on the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55600/21]
View answerThe 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 ESB's peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna.
The National Just Transition Fund was made available in 2020 to support communities transitioning to a low carbon economy. The focus is on retraining workers and generating sustainable employment in green enterprise across the region. To date, 47 projects have entered into contract and are delivering their projects, with over €15 million to be provided in grant funding from the National Just Transition Fund. These projects are to be concluded by the end of 2023. Details of all projects supported by the Just Transition Fund can be found on: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/.
Funding of €84 million will be allocated to Ireland from the EU Just Transition Fund by the European Union over the period 2021 to 2027, supported by additional co-funding from the Exchequer of up to 50%. The EU Just Transition Fund will be used to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the low carbon transition in the most affected regions across the EU by, for example, supporting the re-skilling of workers and helping to create new economic opportunities.
In addition to the National and EU Just Transition Funds, the Government has approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project, which will see Bord na Móna reassign employees from peat harvesting activities into rehabilitation operations, while supporting and restoring the biodiversity of the peatlands. This plan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service Peatlands Scheme will support 350 jobs (or 230 full-time equivalents).
