Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to reassure Deputies that Bord na Móna is taking its responsibilities very seriously and has put forward a series of enterprise initiatives that will develop alternative employment. This takes into account the fact that there is a decline, as Deputy Cowen said, as a result of decarbonisation, which has been widely recognised. As Deputy Cowen also indicated, there will be an application for globalisation funds through the EU. We have the regional enterprise forum, the regional skills forum and the rural development fund. Bord na Móna is committed to working with local authorities using those funds to develop new opportunities, including looking at enterprise centres and other possibilities for the development of the midlands. As the Tánaiste has said, employment creation in the midlands has been significant -15,000 jobs during the course of the regional plan. That regional plan has been very successful. It has brought an enhanced focus on regional development both by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. In the context of this decision, there will be renewed effort in this area. It is possible to apply for regional enterprise funds and the rural regeneration fund. We will be utilising all of those vehicles to respond.

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