Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications the information campaigns that his Department is carrying out to develop awareness across communities in the midlands of funding available as part of the National Just Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15524/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for funding from the National Just Transition Fund closed on 17 July 2020. My Department has since finalised grant agreements with 55 projects under the Fund. The total value of these projects is approximately €30 million, with €20.5 million of this to be provided by the National Just Transition Fund. These projects have reported that they will create an estimated 154 direct jobs and 932 indirect jobs. Further information on approved projects is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/.
My Department carried out a public consultation in relation to the draft Territorial Just Transition Plan and the Operational Programme for the EU Just Transition Fund from 20 December 2021 to 14 February 2022. Information advising people how to participate in this consultation was published on my Department’s website, and advertised online via social media and in regional print newspapers. The responses to this public consultation will now be used to further develop and finalise the draft Territorial Just Transition Plan. Once approved by the Government, the Plan, together with the associated EU Just Transition Fund programme, will be subsequently submitted to the European Commission for approval during the course of 2022.
It is intended that the delivery of the EU Just Transition Fund programme within the Midlands Region will be supported by a public information campaign undertaken by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly as Managing Authority for the Fund.
