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

The first progress report of the just transition commissioner, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, was published on 22 May. The report reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the midlands, setting out an analysis of the challenges facing the region, Bord na Móna workers, their families and communities arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report containsimportant recommendations. The Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder, which I intend to publish in the coming weeks.

The recommendations and associated actions will support job creation efforts and create new opportunities for Bord na Móna workers in the midlands. A number of actions are under way that will support job creation. They include an allocation of €20 million for a new energy efficiency retrofitting scheme in the midlands and €5 million for peatland rehabilitation outside of the Bord na Móna estate. A dedicated just transition fund is making available up to €11 million in 2020 to fund innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the wider midlands region and which have employment and enterprise potential. On foot of its recent call for proposals under this fund, my Department published an initial list of 16 successful projects on 9 September and additional projects will be approved in the next few weeks.

The Government has also committed €15 million, as part of the July stimulus plan, to commence a multi-year programme to rehabilitate 33,000 ha of Bord na Móna peatlands. This additional funding will support a just transition by maintaining jobs in the midlands and laying the foundation for more substantial and sustainable job creation into the future. The enhanced rehabilitation scheme will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by significantly increasing the area of wetland habitats in post-production peatlands. Further additional benefits include increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and supporting bog ecosystem services.

In addition, following on from the recommendation in the first report of the just transition commissioner and the commitment in the programme for Government, a feasibility study into the establishment of a green energy hub using the existing infrastructure at the west Offaly and Lough Ree power plants will commence shortly. A steering group is being established which will be chaired by the ESB and include representatives of my Department, Bord na Móna, relevant local authorities and other stakeholders. I expect the work of the group to be completed this year.

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