€169 m to ensure 'no one is left behind' by peat change in Laois and midlands

A €169 million fund will ensure nobody is left behind by the climate transition that has ended commercial peat production and peat-fired power generation in Laois and other counties.

That's the view of the Government department behind the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) launched by the Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Communications, Minister Eamon Ryan in Longford which alongside Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon, and parts of Galway, Kildare and Tipperary, form the EU JTF Territory. The launch was also attended by Laois Offaly Minister of States Seán Fleming and Pippa Hackett.

A Department of Environment, Climate and Communications outlined the promise of the fund.

“The fund, which will be in place until 2027, will ensure that no one is left behind by the climate transition and will promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion in line with key EU priorities.

“It will support training and upskilling for former peat workers. For their communities, this funding will enable them to benefit from new green jobs, the development of affordable green energy, the decarbonisation of local transport, and the roll-out of new tourism enterprises. It will also support investment in sustainable agriculture and forestry, the development of SMEs and start-ups, as well as support for vital research and innovation,” said the Department.

The EU JTF, which will be managed by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), will facilitate projects and initiatives which help address the adverse social, economic and environmental effects of the climate transition for regions previously reliant on fossil fuels.

 It also sets out Ireland’s investment strategy for the funding, with up to €84.5 million financed by the EU matched by up to €84.5 million from the Government of Ireland.

It is claimed that the programme will focus on three strategic priorities for investment: 

- Generating employment by investing in the diversification of the local economy

- Supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands and regeneration and repurposing of industrial heritage assets

- Providing smart and sustainable mobility options to enable local communities to benefit directly from the green transition.

It is claimed that between now and 2027, a range of initiatives will be supported, and several funding calls run for different types of organisations. 

Beneficiaries of the fund will include micro-enterprises, SMEs, research institutions, local authorities, and community organisations. 

The First funding calls will be launched soon with others to follow soon. 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Transport with the National Transport Authority and Zero Electric Vehicles Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife Service, and Pobal will implement the funding. 

Laois Offaly TD and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora Seán Fleming attended the launch.

“I welcome the launch of this innovative Programme, particularly the focus on community development. Funding of €29 million to support the implementation of bottom-up local and regional initiatives in the Midlands can deliver transformative projects, aligned with Local Economic and Community Plans and Regional Enterprise Plan priorities, offering a bright, sustainable future in the Region,” he said.

Laois Offaly's Green Party Minister of State Pippa Hackett announced what were described as two flagship, Department of Agriculture, initiatives as part of the fund: Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives to a value of €20 million and a Midlands Carbon Catchment Study, to a value of €15 million.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with special responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett said:

“As someone who lives in the midlands I’m delighted to see this significant investment for the region from the EU Just Transition Fund. I’m particularly pleased with the two flagship initiatives from my Department. The €35 million in funding I am announcing, for the Midlands Carbon Catchment Study and for Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiatives will develop projects which will engage farmers and landowners to develop products, services and jobs that will be support a sustainable, climate neutral economy right here in the midlands.

"I encourage all farmers, local community groups, research performing organisations and enterprises to actively engage and collaborate together in these two opportunities so that collectively, we can realise the potential of this region.”

Ireland’s Just Transition Territorial Plan and Programme and supporting material can be found at www.eufunds.ie www.gov.ie/en/publication/4d421-eu-just-transition-fund/

For further information on the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and its role as Managing Authority email: eujtf@emra.ie