The Midlands deserves to be front and centre for EU Just Transition funding and today's launch of the public consultation by my colleague Minister Eamon Ryan is a step in that direction. Up to €84m is coming to Ireland and the Midlands is being prioritised for investment.
This funding will create jobs, modernise business, and attract people into our towns. I would urge people with ideas for spending this fund in a productive way to join the online workshops on January 18th and 25th. We will be having special sessions for young people at a later date. This is really positive announcement for the region.
There will be two online workshops in January 2022 that will allow for more in-depth discussions on your priorities for the EU Just Transition Fund.
Register for the first workshop 18 January 2022 (10am -12pm)
Register for the second workshop 25 January 2022 (6.30pm - 8.30pm)
A third online workshop specifically dedicated to young people aged 16 – 24 living, working or studying in the region is also being organised directly with national youth representative organisations. If you are aged 16 – 24 and would like to attend a workshop but are not linked to a youth organisation, please email info@mco.ie
See the full Press Release from Minister Eamon Ryan below:
Minister announces launch of public consultation on Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan
Plan will unlock €84 million of funding from EU Just Transition Fund
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication, Eamon Ryan TD, has today (20th December) launched a public consultation on a draft of Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan, in partnership with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly.
The plan will set out how Ireland proposes to invest funding from the EU Just Transition Fund – to support a just transition in the wider Midlands region.
Up to €84.5 million has been allocated to Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. The Government will complement this funding with Exchequer resources.
This public consultation is asking for stakeholders’ views on the transition process and the draft plan which, when finalised, will be submitted to the European Commission for approval. The consultation invites stakeholders to complete an online survey and to attend online workshops.
Two online workshops (18th and 25th January) will allow for in-depth discussions on priorities for the EU Just Transition Fund. A third online workshop, for young people in the region, is being organised with national youth representative organisations to ensure that people impacted have the opportunity to shape the plan. There will also be specific information sessions for Oireachtas members, as well as relevant local authorities and their members.
The EU Just Transition Fund will support the goals of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and its objectives, in relation to providing a just transition in the wider Midlands region. This is in response to the ending of peat extraction for electricity generation.
The analysis for the draft Territorial Just Transition Plan builds on extensive analysis and public engagement already undertaken. This considered the development needs of the region, including for the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region. It identified the following proposed key development needs for the wider Midlands region, based on the scope of support from the EU Just Transition Fund:
Modernising the business environment and creating employment opportunities;
Enhancing the skills profile;
Promoting environmental sustainability and industrial heritage;
Enhancing the potential of the region as a place to live and work.
Commenting on today’s publication, Minister Ryan, said:
“This Government is committed to a just transition for the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to support workers, companies and communities following the early closure, in 2020, of the peat-fired power stations and the ending of peat extraction to supply these power stations.
“I am pleased to launch this public consultation on our draft Territorial Just Transition Plan, which is a significant step in helping to deliver further significant funding to the region, with support from the EU Just Transition Fund. I look forward to hearing peoples’ views on the draft plan. This will inform the final plan, which we will submit to the European Commission.
“I am also pleased to announce that I have decided to appoint the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) as the Managing Authority to deliver this funding. The EMRA is the key statutory body representing the development needs of the region. It is extremely well placed, through its statutory functions and working in close cooperation with my Department and the other bodies administering EU funds in Ireland, to deliver EU just transition funding into the region.”
The consultation is open until the 14th February 2022. The draft Territorial Just Transition Plan and consultation survey are available at this link: gov.ie - Public Consultation on the EU Just Transition Fund (www.gov.ie) / https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/352c3-public-consultation-on-the-eu-just-transition-fund/.
A report summarising the responses received will be made available online after the consultation period.
ENDS