Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not quite clear as to the Deputy's doubts about the just transition programme but it is an important programme. It is an essential programme to deal with what has been a decarbonisation agenda across the country but obviously with a particular focus on the midlands and Offaly, which have been at the frontier of transformation in terms of energy generation and the transformation of Bord na Móna, which has been very significant and will benefit Offaly in terms of the investment in Bord na Móna, which is quite substantial.

I think the Deputy mentioned the EU allocation. As she is aware, there has been far wider investment. I do not have a breakdown of the totality of investments around the area of decarbonisation in terms of investment in the community more generally in Offaly. There has been quite a significant degree of investment in Offaly and across the midlands under a range of Government investment programmes. Up to €22 million was available under the national fund by the end of 2024 while the EU fund will provide up to €169 million until 2027, so that is a longer-term transition for the region. That arises from the end of commercial peat extraction and peat-fired power generation.

I will certainly examine and reflect on what the Deputy has said. Just transition has to become just transformation because it is not just about the ending of certain types of economic activity. It has to be the creation of new very powerful alternative industries that can create alternative employment. I attended the offshore wind energy conference this morning. This country's performance when it comes to onshore wind energy - notwithstanding all of the objections - has resulted in thousands of jobs but also, critically, has resulted in Ireland being one of the most effective renewable countries with up to 35% of electricity at any one time being provided by renewables and so forth, so there is an economic agenda. I accept the Deputy's point that there is an economic need and those areas that are affected the most need the greatest levels of support and intervention. I agree with that and that has to be through a combination of national and EU funds. I do not have to hand the specifics of the applications made by Offaly County Council. I know Deputy Cowen has been a long-standing and very committed activist in respect of Offaly and the midlands more generally regarding this agenda. I will engage with the Deputies and the councillors from the area to examine this situation further.

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