Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
176. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for job creation and redeployment of Bord na Móna workers in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20975/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for job creation and redeployment of Bord na Móna workers in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20980/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 181 together.
The first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey was published on 22 May. The report reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the region, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the Midlands region, and for Bord na Móna workers and their families and communities, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report contains important recommendations. The Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder. The recommendations and supporting actions will support job creation efforts and create new opportunities for Bord na Móna workers in the midlands;
The Programme for Government commits to publishing a Just Transition Plan, to frame the work of a permanent Commission for Just Transition. The plan will identify and prepare for the challenges that will arise in a number of sectors and regions, recognising that there will be a variety of different transitions.
A number of actions to implement the recommendations in the Commissioner's report are already underway and will impact on job creation. This includes €20 million for a new energy efficiency retrofitting scheme in the Midlands, €5 million for peatland rehabilitation outside of the Bord na Móna estate, and €6 million for a dedicated new just transition fund with ESB agreeing to contribute an additional €5 million to this fund. The call for proposals for the Just Transition Fund closed on Friday 17 July, and will make available up to €11m in 2020 to support job creation and retraining measures in the region. €15m was also committed in the July Stimulus to support a major programme of bog restoration on Bord Na Mona bogs in the Midlands.
