Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to expand the EU just transition funding outside of the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42493/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Just Transition Fund aims to address the employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. In Ireland, EU JTF is focused on the wider Midlands region which has been impacted by the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat.

Ireland’s EU JTF Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the just transition process in the Midlands designated territory (as approved by the European Commission), incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund for 2021 – 2027 and national co-financing. This funding will be available until 2027, in line with the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework for 2021 to 2027.

Following approval by the Government on 29 November 2022, the European Commission adopted Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan and associated Programme. The Programme was formally launched on 28 April 2023.

The EU JTF Midlands designated territory comprises counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary). Following an objective, evidence-based assessment and analysis, which sought to identify the most impacted areas based on key socio-economic, demographic, and environmental indicators, this territory was identified as the region most impacted by the transition from peat extraction for electricity generation. This territory was subsequently proposed under the Territorial Just Transition Plan and has been designated under the EU JTF Programme 2021 – 2027.

The current programming period for the EU JTF ends in 2027. Should Just Transition funding be continued under the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework for 2028 to 2034, an objective, evidence-based assessment and analysis will be undertaken to identify the territories within Ireland most affected by social and economic impacts of the transition towards climate neutrality.