Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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528. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has any interdepartmental role in the implementation of the Just Transition process in the midlands process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26484/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Midlands Regional Transition team and Just Transition was established in October 2018 for communities and workers affected by the ending of peat harvesting for power generation in the Midlands region.

My Department makes a significant contribution to the work of this commission. In the last two years we have provided significant supports to the affected workers to assist them return to work including in the areas of upskilling and retraining.  We have provided information seminars to advise affected employees of income supports as well as services to assist employees upskill, retrain and commence new self-employment opportunities. We provided an information service at a Jobsfair held at Mount Lucas, specifically for affected workers, where we engaged with both employees and employers in attendance. We also have close links with employers in the Midlands to harness potential job opportunities for the individuals and communities affected.

My Department works closely with all relevant Government Departments, in particular the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Education, as well as all other stakeholders to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the midlands.