Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
44. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions and preventions taken to support the midlands region in terms of employment in view of the recent job losses in Bord na Móna. [20901/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWill the Minister outline the actions and preventions taken to support the midlands region in terms of employment in view of the recent job losses in Bord na Móna?
While recognising the challenges posed in the necessary transition to a low-carbon economy, I especially regret that individual workers, their families and the community will be negatively impacted by the job losses announced by Bord na Móna.
Since I became Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made job creation and enterprise development in the regions a top priority. I launched the new midlands regional enterprise plan on 6 February last in Mountmellick, County Laois. It has emerged from a bottom-up collaborative process which ensures regional stakeholders remain focused on delivering on the employment targets set to 2020 under the original regional action plan for jobs, as well as ensuring the plans are robust and relevant in the context of today's challenges and opportunities.
The midlands have made excellent progress with employment growth of 18.5%, well above the 2020 target. The midlands plan complements the ongoing work of the enterprise agencies and the local enterprise offices in the region through driving collaborative initiatives with the local authorities, the regional skills forum, tourism bodies, enterprise champions and higher and further education bodies.
The midlands plan sets out seven strategic objectives for enterprise growth which span areas such as addressing the challenges posed by the transition to a low-carbon economy, big data opportunities, advanced manufacturing, place-making and marketing, tourism, food and skills development. The first of these objectives aims to ensure the midlands is well positioned to address the challenges posed by the transition to a low-carbon economy and renewable energy. Actions include development of Portlaoise as a low-carbon town, county climate adaptation strategies, feasibility of developing an energy park, along with progressing aquaculture and herb production opportunities.
In October 2018, Bord na Móna detailed plans to implement strand 1 of its brown-to-green strategy to consolidate and simplify traditional peat harvesting operations. In response to this announcement, a regional transition team, including the local authorities, enterprise agencies and others, was established by Offaly County Council.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
The midlands regional enterprise plan to 2020 is strongly aligned with and supports the work of the regional transition team, in particular, by encouraging collaboration to develop employment opportunities.
Finally, it is important to note that the Government has put several funding streams in place to support regional development including my Department’s regional enterprise development fund, the rural and urban regeneration and development funds under Project Ireland 2040 and the town and village renewal scheme. Under the €60 million competitive regional enterprise development fund, the midlands have secured total funding of over €2.8 million under the two completed calls to date.
I thank the Minister for her response and agree the job losses will affect workers and their families. That is why we must ensure that every effort possible is made for the midlands, which are a disadvantaged region.
I acknowledge and welcome the necessary seven objectives which the Department has outlined in the midlands regional enterprise plan to 2020. Since October 2018 when Bord na Móna announced 430 job losses, the midlands region has been deeply concerned about the need to transition to a more sustainable employment model. Will the Minister clarify what role or assistance her Department has provided to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment concerning the recent application to the European Commission's coal regions in transition platform?
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I, along with the local authority, met with a group from the midlands regarding the Bord na Móna job losses at the time. The regional transition team was established by Offaly County Council in response to the announcement to consolidate and simplify traditional peat-harvesting operations. It aims to pursue funding opportunities and actions to mitigate the impact of the Bord na Móna job losses on the individuals concerned, as well as the impact on the local and regional economy. It also aims at positioning the region to develop alternative forms of employment, attract investment, as well as maximising existing employment opportunity and resources. It comprises Offaly County Council and all stakeholders, including the Athlone Institute of Technology, education and training boards, chambers of commerce and the eastern and midlands regional climate action office. I understand they would have all been part of that application.
I thank the Minister for her response. The first objective of the midlands enterprise plan aims to ensure the midlands are well positioned to address the challenges posed by the transition to a low-carbon economy and renewable energy. This clearly means it would be a cross-departmental effort. I acknowledge the transition forum which is working well. However, more is needed and it will require a whole-of-government approach.
I was disappointed by the reply to a parliamentary question last week regarding the European Commission's request to include the midlands as part of the platform on coal regions in transition. Given that the platform was launched in early 2017, a full year before Bord na Móna announced job losses, the Government's reaction seems a little lethargic. I would have liked it to have been more proactive. I have highlighted my concerns about the midlands region and the need to generate more jobs there and also the fact that the Government should give the greater attention and have more input in respect of it.
Go raibh maith agat. The Minister to respond.
The purpose of the platform on coal regions in transition is to facilitate investments for structural transformation, growth and jobs. There is no mention of it in the midlands regional enterprise plan.
The Minister to respond.
There are six objectives in the regional enterprise development plan. The Government supports all the agencies to provide the necessary support in the region. Hearing that there will be job losses in a traditional industry is a big blow to any region. Much work has been done. Many of the agencies, driven especially by the local authority, have collaborated here. The regional enterprise development fund is there to support companies and regions to come together to put forward good proposals, where agencies, industry and education work together, and a total of €2.841 million went into Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. The rural regeneration development fund has invested €5.3 million and a further €7.3 million has been invested through urban funds.
