Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
136. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on potential funding for a feasibility study and environmental study in relation to the proposed boardwalk in Lanesboro, County Longford, and Ballyleague, County Roscommon. [18936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Just Transition Fund is a key pillar of the Government’s plan for the Midlands region. This fund was made available in 2020 to support the transition to a decarbonised economy.
56 National Just Transition Fund Projects are scheduled to continue delivery until 2024. The total value of projects is approximately €30 million, with a total of €22 million committed in Exchequer funding under the National Just Transition Fund to these projects.
The National Just Transition Fund has provided €43,450 to fund a feasibility Study for a proposed board walk along Lough Ree at Ballyleague. This study was completed in Q2 2022. The Feasibility Report confirmed a boardwalk on Lough Ree at Ballyleague is viable and recommended that it should progress if the significant additional funding is sourced to take the project forward to the design, statutory consent and land acquisition phases.
The Mid-Shannon Wilderness Park (Lanesboro board walk) which incorporates the Ballyleague/ Lanesboro to Termonbarry/Strokestown/Roosky greenway, is being progressed in line with Transport Infrastructure Ireland guidelines and has received approval to progress from phase 0 to phase 1. Roscommon County Council is progressing this work.
Phase 1 - Concept and Feasibility on the Roscommon element of the project will be complete in Q2 2023. Funding of €102,000 has been approved from the Just Transition Fund for this study. It is expected that Longford County Council will progress their element of the project to appoint consultants in Q4 2023.
It is noted that the EU Just Transition Fund Programme will deliver an additional €169 million in investment to the region to 2027, which will support the ongoing economic transition of the Midlands region. The programme will be formally launched on 28 April and will be managed by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. Further information is available at emra.ie/eu-jtf/.
