Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
207. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if successful applicants under the Just Transition Fund have been issued with funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/22]
View answerThe Government remains 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 extraction by Bord na Móna.
To date, my Department has finalised grant agreements with 55 National Just Transition Fund projects. The total value of projects in delivery is approximately €30 million, with €20.5 million of this to be provided by the National Just Transition Fund. These projects have reported that they will create an estimated 154 direct jobs and 932 indirect jobs.
Up to 25% of the approved grant amount, in the form of prefunding, may be available to certain projects, particularly in the community and voluntary sector, that may require funding to initiate their projects. In general, however, payments of grant assistance from the Just Transition Fund are based on vouched expenditure by projects, in line with Government policy in relation to the management of, and accountability for, grants from Exchequer funds. To date, approximately €1.5 million has been paid to approved projects.
My Department is working with a small number of remaining applicants with a view to finalising grant agreements with these projects in the coming weeks. Further information on approved projects is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund.
