MIDLANDS TO RECEIVE €169M TO TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUELS

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EU funding has been approved by the Government to support the Midlands, to address the impacts that come with the move away from peat production, by creating new employment options and alleviating economic effects.

Under the new plan, €169m will be used over the coming decade to create new green jobs, restore damaged peatlands and alleviate economic impacts that come from a transition to climate neutrality.

In particular, the fund aims to address the impacts of moving away from peat production and electricity generation from peat. It aims to diversify the economy to create employment for former peat communities. The funding will come from the EU’s Just Transition Fund, which aims to support communities in Europe most negatively affected by climate transitions. Half of the funding (up to €84.5m) will come from the EU, with Ireland matching this using Exchequer resources. The locations set to benefit from this funding are East Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD, said that the fund will support a diverse range of innovative projects that will contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the wider Midlands region.

“They include new enterprise hubs, supporting local business and community development, research and exploratory studies, tourism and heritage projects, development of greenways, and opportunities for education, training and reskilling.”

The plan includes funding for a centre of excellence, which will research new ways to reduce emissions from organic soils by working with farmers to test new forms of sustainable land management on peat soils.

There are also plans to transform public transport in the region, through the electrification of Rural Link services, commercial bus services and EV destination charging infrastructure.

The Just Transition Fund backing must be approved by both the Government and the European Commission. Formal approval by the Commission is expected before the end of the year. (Source: SiliconRepublic.com)

East Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath are set to benefit from EU’s Just Transition Fund.