Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
69. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding provided for the peatlands rehabilitation scheme; the amount spent to date; if his Department has created the targeted number of 70 jobs in year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14329/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na Móna announced, on 16 June, their intention to suspend peat harvesting activities for 2020 while its substitute consent application is under consideration by an Bord Pleanála, and to put in place an enhanced peatlands rehabilitation scheme as a key component of Bord na Móna’s move away from peat. The Government is committed to supporting Bord na Móna to deliver an extensive programme of rehabilitation of the company’s land bank. My Department and Bord na Móna are progressing the necessary measures to facilitate the advanced rehabilitation of 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna bog previously harvested for peat used in electricity generation, commencing this year.
