The Government is committed to supporting Bord na Móna to deliver an extensive multi-annual programme of rehabilitation of the company’s land bank. The July Jobs Stimulus Plan makes €15 million funding available this year to commence a multi-year programme for enhanced rehabilitation of 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna peatlands. The funding will support a just transition by maintaining jobs in the Midlands, as well as laying the foundation for more substantial and sustainable job creation into the future. The enhanced rehabilitation scheme will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by significantly increasing the area of wetland habitats in post-production peatlands.
The enhanced rehabilitation is in respect of 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna bog previously harvested for peat used in electricity generation. This forms part of the 35,000 hectares to be rehabilitated, announced by Bord na Móna in October 2019 when launching its collaboration with An Coillte, to transform 1,500 hectares of former peat production land into native woodland.