'Way past time' to officially prioritise Offaly for Just Transition funding

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he will consult with fellow Government Ministers about issues relating to the just transition process that were raised with him by Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan during Leaders Questions in the Dáil.

Deputy Nolan informed the Tánaiste that the perception of the EU Just Transition Fund and its capacity to act as a catalyst for economic revival in County Offaly suffered a fatal blow in recent days after the county received a ‘paltry allocation of €500,000 or just 3% of the total €18 million round of funding.

Deputy Nolan said it was her view and the view of many local representatives that “anger and disappointment within the county does not come close to describing how people are feeling.”

She went on to reiterate her call for a priority status to be accorded to Offaly as the county that has borne the brunt of the job losses associated with the just transition process:

In his reply, the Tánaiste stated that I would talk to fellow Ministers about the issues because “we want just transition to be effective and successful” and “we need to transform the counties that were affected the most by the removal of peat-fired power stations.”:

“I do welcome the Tánaiste’s constructive response, but I also think there could have been a greater degree of commitment expressed regarding the willingness of Government to prioritise Offaly for future funding allocations. That position was clearly expressed at the meeting I attended with Offaly Council yesterday on this very matter,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I reiterate my main point that there has been no proper sustainable job creation as a result of what has happened since this process began.”

“This process will not be seen as just by me and many others in the county until we can actually see jobs being created and that job creation will be highly dependent on the investment that comes in.”

“The fact that we have only received €500,000 out of an €18 million pot is scandalous. We need this type of money to be able to create jobs. The applications that went in from Offaly County Council related to towns like Tullamore and areas like Shannonbridge and Rhode in north Offaly where there were projects that would create jobs.”

“We are trying to work our way out of this mess while trying to move forward and create the jobs we so badly need in Offaly, but if we are only given 3% of a funding pot, it is not acceptable.”

“We need urgent intervention. I accept the Tánaiste's constructive response and thank him for agreeing to look into the matter, but we need some urgency as well,” concluded Deputy Nolan.