Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that the just transition we seek in the midlands is critical. It has to be delivered and it is the first real test of the nature of the change we will make as we start to reduce our emissions at scale. It is critical for Bord na Móna that we deliver alternative job opportunities to the sectors and regions most affected and that we ensure vulnerable groups are helped as transformative policies are implemented. The Government is committed to such a just transition, recognising the significant level of change required and that burdens borne must be seen to be fair. This includes support for the work under way in the midlands to deal with the challenges facing Bord na Móna, its employees and various contractors and businesses, including local services which depend on the current business model. A whole-of-government approach to addressing this challenge is being implemented. This involves working with local stakeholders to ensure the people impacted can be best supported.

A just transition fund of €11 million opened on Friday, 19 June and will make money available to support those with good project ideas in the areas of employment and enterprise, training and community supports, and to projects which can make a difference. The call closes on Friday, 17 July and my Department, working with colleagues from other Departments, is preparing to review the project applications and looks forward to being able to select strong project proposals and allocate money to the wider midlands region. An implementation plan is being prepared by my Department in response to the recommendations contained in the first report of the just transition commissioner, and urgent action has already been taken in some key areas. This includes both the just transition fund call for applications, which I have just mentioned, and working with Bord na Móna to facilitate the advanced rehabilitation of bog previously harvested for peat used in electricity generation.

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