Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan, has said that there is a clear and unanswerable case for Offaly to receive the highest proportion of the funding due to be distributed under the EU Just Transition Programme (EU JTF).
The Independent TD was speaking after Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD confirmed that funding, amounting to nearly €169 million will be targeted at the region over the coming decade ‘alleviate the economic impacts of the transition to climate neutrality.’:
“I have consistently made the case that Offaly, as the county most adversely impacted by the so called Just Transition process should be in line to receive the maximum amount of funding that will become available,” said Deputy Nolan.
“As I understand it, we will not know the details of the funding dispersal until early in 2023 when the EU JTF Plan and Programme are due to be formally adopted by the European Commission.”
“At that point money will be given to projects across East Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, north Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon, and Westmeath. However, I will have no hesitation in repeating my view that the funding emphasis should be targeted to those areas that have experienced the greatest level of negative economic impact rather than on territorial coverage per se.”
“It is vital that we get the balance right at the outset. Offaly communities must not be left scrambling for matching funding allocations especially when it is the county that has carried the major burden of the Green’s and this governments determination to pursue a policy approach that is against the wishes of most workers and ordinary people,” concluded Deputy Nolan.