Government moves to open applications for €11m Midlands Just Transition Fund

The Government has begun the process of seeking proposals for projects under the €11m Just Transition Fund for the Midlands.

It comes as the first progress report by the Just Transition Commissioner Kieran Mulvey has been published.

Mr Mulvey in his report highlighted the urgent need to make the funds available as quickly as possible for allocation to selected projects in the midlands.

The fund announced in the budget last year includes €6m carbon tax funding and a €5m contribution from the ESB.

The fund is designed to retrain workers to assist local communities and businesses in the Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition and to support proposals for sustainable employment in green enterprise.

Today, the Minister Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton invited interested applicants to register projects.

A formal application process will open during the week of June 15.

The Government has, however, stopped short of committing to a recommendation by Mr Mulvey that in 2021, as part of the Carbon Tax allocation, the Just Transition Fund be increased to €25m.

Mr Mulvey pointed out that this reflected a €28m package announced earlier this year to offset the potential impact of Brexit.

“A similar stimulus package is necessary for the Midlands as part of future Just Transition Fund provisions,” he said.

Mulvey said, minus the once-off ESB allocation to the fund, the €6m annual funding “will likely be inadequate for the period 2021-2026 to support projects that will generate the level of employment needed in the region”.

In its response, the Government said: “The progress report makes recommendations in relation to the allocation of future revenues from the Carbon Tax. These recommendations will need to be considered by the Government in the Budget and Estimates process for 2021.”