Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
155. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of applications seeking to avail of the EU just transition community and enterprise grant scheme that were received up to the deadline of 28 February 2024; the number of these from counties Laois and Offaly; the successful applicants processed since 28 February; and the breakdown of the amount paid to applicants via the scheme to date. [15973/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of unapproved applicants for the EU just transition community and enterprise grant scheme; if these applications will be processed ahead of the proposed April deadline; and if she plans to extend the current delivery dates for, as yet, unprocessed applications beyond the dates of June 2024 to March 2026. [15974/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
The aim of the Community and Enterprise Grants Scheme is to enable former peat production communities in the Midlands territory to develop employment opportunities in the green, circular and low-carbon economy. This is the second call under the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme (LRESSS), designed to assist local authorities and their communities previously reliant on peat production to modernise and diversify their local economies. The LRESSS is funded through Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund Programme.
The Community and Enterprise Grants Scheme was formally launched by Pobal on 12 January 2024 on behalf of my Department. Applications were accepted up to 28 February and are currently under appraisal by Pobal. It is currently envisaged that successful applicants under this call will be notified by Pobal in early May, following which the applicants will progress to grant-agreement stage. The geographic breakdown of successful applicants will be published once this process has been completed.
In line with the terms and conditions of the scheme, grant funding will begin to be paid to successful applicants once grant agreements are in place and payments may continue until 31 March 2026. This timeframe is aligned with the requirements of the EU Just Transition Fund Programme. Consequently, no extension beyond this date is anticipated.
