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Climate Action Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (123)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

123. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the just transition plans of his Department for communities in which peat-burning stations have been shut down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10265/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.The EU Just Transition Fund is a newly established fund which seek to address the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned and promoting a balanced socio-economic transition. Ireland must prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan and accompanying programme, for approval by the European Commission, in order to secure access to its allocation of €84.5 million under the Fund. This plan and programme will set out Ireland’s proposed investment priorities as well as targeted sectors and regions. I have appointed the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) as managing authority for the Fund, and my Department and EMRA are jointly developing the Plan and Programme. The draft plan provisionally identifies East Galway, North Tipperary, Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, West Kildare and Roscommon as the functional territory to be targeted for investment. I launched a public consultation on a draft of the Territorial Just Transition Plan on 20 December which was open until 14 February. The responses to the public consultation will be used to further develop and finalise the draft Plan before it is agreed by Government and submitted, together with the EU Just Transition Fund programme, to the European Commission for approval during the course of 2022. Through the national Just Transition Fund over €20.5million is being provided in grant funding to 55 projects in the wider Midlands region. Funded projects are diverse and cover a range of opportunities throughout the region. Further details of these projects can be found at:  

www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/

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