Ms Orla Carroll:

There are two parts to the answer. First, nationally, we do not have any plans to launch a scheme this year. The Department is developing its tourism policy and, in line with that, we will have an investment strategy following that to look at new funding schemes. However, in the case raised by the Senator, his county is in the just transition area and part of that is a funding scheme to do with what we are calling strategic partnerships with local authorities, so we will be looking at many local projects with all of the local authorities in the area.

The caveat is that, as the Senator well knows, just transition projects have to be done, built and claimed by the end of 2026, which is quite restrictive. That means we will have to be quite selective in the projects that get done because, otherwise, we lose the money to the territory, which is not what we want. “Yes” is the answer in regard to Longford. There will be projects through the local authorities, but as to what they are, we need to work through that with them. That would be the caveat through all of that.

I would also add the caveat that while €68 million is a lot of money, we do not want to spread the jam too thin so no one benefits substantially enough. Across just transition, we are having a mix of schemes that will be for public and private, with the aim that they are open to all to apply. While that does not mean all would be interested in applying or would be successful, there is an opportunity for all to at least avail of it.