Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail his precise plans to ensure that the Government honours its commitment to deliver a Just Transition for the former employees of the Bord na Móna briquette factory in Derrinlough, County Offaly; the timescale for the delivery of this Just Transition plan; the budget allocated to its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/23]
View answerBord na Móna is an independent commercial semi state company and the future of the Derrinlough Peat Briquette Factory site is a matter for the Board and Management of Bord na Móna and so I, as Minister, have no statutory function in this matter.
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. A Just Transition Commissioner was appointed by the Government in November 2019 with the mandate to engage with those affected by the accelerated exit from peat for electricity generation in the Midlands region and to recommend to Government the essential elements of a just transition for those workers and communities.
The Department is funding 56 projects in the Midlands through the National Just Transition Fund. The Fund will provide up to €22.1 million in grant funding over the lifetime of these projects, which will mobilise an estimated €15 million in additional funding to the region.
A new EU Just Transition Fund will seeks to address the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories concerned and promoting a balanced socio-economic transition. Ireland has secured €84.5 million under this Fund which will be matched by the Exchequer, giving a total programme size of up to €169 million for expenditure until 2027. Further details are available at eujtf@emra.ie.
A total of €29 million of funding is available to Midlands communities from my Department in 2023 under the National and EU Just Transition Funds.
