Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the expenditure priorities of Ireland for the EU Just Transition Fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1390/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The EU Just Transition Fund will be used to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the low carbon transition in the most affected regions across the EU by, for example, supporting the re-skilling of workers, helping SMEs to create new economic opportunities, and diversification of economic activity.  Ireland has secured an allocation of €77 million from the EU Just Transition Fund for investments over the period 2021 to 2027.  In accordance with the relevant EU legislation, Ireland must now prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan, for approval by the European Commission, in order to secure access to its EU allocation of funding. This Plan will set out Ireland’s proposed investment priorities as well as targeted sectors and regions.  Work on this plan has commenced in my Department and this work will be supported by technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme, which will assist in the development of the evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. I envisage that this work will be completed in the first half of this year.