Minister announces €30m in Just Transition funding during Tullamore visit

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has announced significant new funding of almost €30 million in Just Transition funding during a visit to Tullamore today, Monday, February 16.

The Minister met with Offaly TD Tony McCormack ahead of the announcement, which is hoped to support Offaly and other communities to deliver new green energy and local projects for the future.

As part of the European Union's Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU, €30 million is being provided to local authorities in the Midlands EU Just Transition Territory to support their local climate action.

The new scheme, Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) will support local authority-led Climate Action Plan infrastructure projects and feasibility studies that align with the EU JTF programme.

Commenting on the funding, Minister O'Brien said: "Our local authorities are the leaders in making sustainability at a community level a reality. Through the Community Climate Action Programme, hundreds of projects across communities have been and will be funded with the support of over €50 million from the Climate Action Fund from 2023 to 2027.

"I’m delighted now to announce, in addition, the launch of a new €30 million Just Transition scheme investing further in the Midlands, and to increased climate funding for local authorities in 2026 of almost €5 million. This funding demonstrates our commitment to local authorities and communities, supporting them to deliver the meaningful, place-based climate action required for their specific needs."