Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister has outlined, I understand that significant funding is being made available for Ireland to assist the regions and communities that are most negatively impacted by the transition to climate neutrality and to promote socioeconomic transition. Ireland is assessed to receive €84.5 million up to 2027 and the Government plans to match this funding with Exchequer resources. As the Minister has already alluded to, so far Fáilte Ireland has approved €32 million in grants under this scheme. However, why is this funding being solely concentrated on the midlands? Why are counties, like my county of Clare, not being included considering, as I have mentioned, we are losing our fossil fuel power station in its historical format? Moneypoint has seen significant changes in recent years, especially in respect of its workforce, which has had an impact on employment opportunities in west Clare in general and Kilrush specifically.

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