Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending this hearing. What are the ESB's plans for the buildings? As Bord na Móna also has many assets, Mr. Donnellan might elaborate on its plans for those assets. How did the ESB arrive at the €5 million contribution to the just transition fund? When Ferbane power station closed a number of years ago, €3 million was provided to the community. Likewise €3 million was provided to the community when Rhode power station closed. As in this instance two power stations are closing, why was the contribution not €10 million? Perhaps the ESB would review its decision in that regard.

What are Bord na Móna's plans for the briquette factory in Derrinlough and Edenderry power station? On the rehabilitation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service peatlands, it was mentioned that there are opportunities here for which Bord na Móna hopes to successfully tender. How many contracts has it tendered for and won in the past in regard to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coillte and so on? On the biomass and feedstock that Bord na Mona has on hand, what are its plans for those stocks?

It was suggested at a previous hearing that employees would no longer be full-time employees. In other words, they would be issued with one-year contracts. Is this accurate?

On the midlands retrofit programme, would the Department examine the idea of a special scheme for the midlands where a considerable amount of the fuel burned would be turf or briquettes? There is a strong argument for design of a special scheme to encourage people to transition to a more suitable fuel.

My next question is to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government officials. How many local authority houses across the country require retrofitting? The success of the midlands retrofit programme will be important in the context of the programme being carried out in other areas.