Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will reply on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Government. I welcome the opportunity to set out the actions being taken by the Government in response to the announcement of the closure of the peat-fuelled power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna.

The work of Kieran Mulvey, as just transition commissioner in the midlands over the past year, has seen a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the ESB, to address the challenges facing the region, Bord na Móna workers and their families and communities arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The commissioner has produced three progress reports to date and a further progress report is expected by the end of this year. The Department has responded to his recommendations with the development of the midlands implementation plan and associated actions, which are detailed in the recently published climate action plan.

It has been agreed the just transition commissioner's work will reach its natural conclusion at the end of 2021. However, given the broad nature of the challenges associated with the transition to a climate neutral economy and society, the climate action plan 2021 commits the Government to the establishment of a just transition commission to provide strategic advice to the Government, building on research and engagement through the national dialogue on climate action and the annual review of the Climate Change Advisory Council, on how Government policy can further a just transition. I will develop proposals on the mandate for this in 2022 in advance of drafting legislation.

The ESB provided €5 million to the just transition fund in 2020 to support the just transition in the midlands, and I understand it is continuing to explore the development of infrastructure in the midlands for use by local community groups. The just transition commissioner has facilitated ongoing discussion with the ESB and key stakeholders such as the midlands regional transition team and local authorities to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the midlands, for both the workers directly affected and the wider community. The ESB is also developing planning applications for both station sites as renewable energy centres to facilitate growth in the green technology sector. This is in anticipation of future competitive tenders to be held by EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. The proposed technology includes synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both locations.

I also understand the ESB provided an update on its plans for both sites to the most recent meeting of the midlands regional transition team, on 1 December. The ESB remains committed to the midlands through the development of these projects, its €5 million contribution to the just transition fund and its network operations, which employ more than 400 highly skilled engineers, technicians and office workers in the region, as well as its national training centre for network technicians in Portlaoise.

The Government is committed to a just transition in the midlands and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the transition to a carbon-neutral society. Through the national just transition fund, the Department has finalised grant agreements with 47 just transition fund projects, with the total value of projects in delivery mode standing at approximately €19.3 million, with €15.5 million in grant funding.

Looking ahead to future just transition supports, the EU just transition fund, which is part of the European Green Deal, will allocate €84 million to Ireland to alleviate the socioeconomic impacts of the just transition in the most affected regions. The Department is preparing a territorial just transition plan for approval by the European Commission and this will define the regions and activities for support under the new fund. A total of €108 million has been secured for the enhanced decommissioning, rehabilitation and restoration scheme, EDRRS, which has created a total of 350 jobs. A further €14 million has been provided in 2021 to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to fund peatlands restoration and protect raised bogs in the midlands.