Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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85. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will pursue the purchase by the State of the former briquette factory at Derrinlough and to allow for a full consultation with all stakeholders as to the future of the site, especially the Bord na Móna workers who were promised a just transition following the ending of production at this plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37591/23]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will undertake to immediately halt the sale of the former Bord na Móna briquette factory and its 44.5 acre site in Derrinlough, County Offaly, in the interests of allowing time for a public consultation with all local and national stakeholders about how the site’s potential to deliver a Just Transition towards a low-carbon future in the midlands can be best realised; if he will undertake to launch such a public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37618/23]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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87. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will undertake to purchase the former Bord na Móna briquette factory and its 44.5 acre site in Derrinlough, County Offaly, in the interests of ensuring that both building and site remain in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together.

Bord na Móna is an independent commercial semi state company and the future of the Derrinlough Peat Briquette Factory site is a matter for the Board and Management of Bord na Móna. I, as Minister, have no statutory function in this matter.

Bord na Móna has concluded all briquette production operations at its Derrinlough peat factory in Co. Offaly. Decommissioning of the briquette factory will now commence and will take a number of months to complete. During this time, Bord na Móna will be exploring alternative options for the future use of the site. The closure of Derrinlough marks the final stage of the company’s wider commitment to cease peat harvesting in 2021, exhaust existing peat stocks for briquette production, and complete its transition from a traditional peat business to a climate solutions and renewable energy company. Bord na Móna is committed to reviewing a range of potential options for the site in line with its original plans and is engaging with a variety of stakeholders on this matter.

Bord na Móna is fully committed to supporting all impacted employees and has implemented a redeployment strategy to provide alternative positions and retraining opportunities within the wider business. All impacted employees have now been redeployed across Bord na Móna’s Renewable Energy, Land & Habitats and Recycling businesses.

As part of its Brown to Green Strategy, Bord na Móna is now entirely focused on renewable energy generation, recycling, peatlands restoration, biodiversity and the development of new, low-carbon enterprises. It will continue expanding its sustainable project portfolio to support Ireland in achieving its renewable energy requirements by 2030, and its net zero emissions by 2050.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to detail his precise plans to ensure that the Government honours its commitment to deliver a Just Transition for the former employees of the Bord na Móna briquette factory in Derrinlough, County Offaly; the timescale for the delivery of this Just Transition plan; the budget allocated to its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Bord na Móna is an independent commercial semi state company and the future of the Derrinlough Peat Briquette Factory site is a matter for the Board and Management of Bord na Móna and so I, as Minister, have no statutory function in this matter.

The Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. A Just Transition Commissioner was appointed by the Government in November 2019 with the mandate to engage with those affected by the accelerated exit from peat for electricity generation in the Midlands region and to recommend to Government the essential elements of a just transition for those workers and communities.

The Department is funding 56 projects in the Midlands through the National Just Transition Fund. The Fund will provide up to €22.1 million in grant funding over the lifetime of these projects, which will mobilise an estimated €15 million in additional funding to the region.

A new EU Just Transition Fund will seeks to address the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories concerned and promoting a balanced socio-economic transition. Ireland has secured €84.5 million under this Fund which will be matched by the Exchequer, giving a total programme size of up to €169 million for expenditure until 2027. Further details are available at eujtf@emra.ie.

A total of €29 million of funding is available to Midlands communities from my Department in 2023 under the National and EU Just Transition Funds.