Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the recent engagements he has had with Bord na Móna with regard to peatlands. [17912/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Bord na Móna is progressing through a period of remarkable change underpinned by their ‘Brown to Green’ strategy. The company is committed to supporting Ireland’s security of energy supply through the development and operation of renewable energy. Additionally, Bord na Móna is enhancing biodiversity, water quality and carbon sequestration through the €108 million EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funded Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme for 33,000 hectares of peatlands. This scheme which is regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is delivering on our promise of a more Just Transition, creating 350 jobs across the Midlands and contributing to Ireland’s target of being carbon-neutral by 2050. Since the start of this year officials from my Department have had regular engagements with Bord na Móna on peatland rehabilitation, just transition, biodiversity, the EU LIFE Programme, the EU Innovation Fund and renewable energy projects, and will continue this positive engagement into the future.