Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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In his opening statement the Minister of State said, "These changes better reflect the Department’s statement of strategy, Le Chéile 23, which sets out our vision for the three-year period from 2021 to 2023." That strategy has been in place since 2021. What elements of the work that has been undertaken so far were not reflective of that vision? It was an interesting comment to make when that vision is near completion.

Some €11 million is provided for the national just transition fund. The just transition commissioner is no longer in place. His role was to engage with stakeholders and to establish the manner in which that fund was allocated.

Is all the stakeholder engagement now complete? Is it just a matter of the Department spending money on projects that have been determined? Does the Minister of State anticipate that some consultation will still be required? How will that be undertaken in the absence of the commissioner?