Just Transition Progress Report is published
Ó An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Government to Open Just Transition Fund for Applications
Sustainable employment for the Midlands at the centre of just transition response
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton TD today (Friday) published the first Progress Report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr. Kieran Mulvey.
The minister today launched the first call for proposals under the €11m Just Transition Fund. The minister has previously set out five key priorities for the Fund, including retraining workers and proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region.
Minister Bruton said:
"I am acutely aware of the impact an early exit from peat is having on workers and their families and on the Midlands more broadly. Like many other businesses, Bord na Móna has also been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic which is compounding this impact. Securing sustainable employment opportunities for the region and a just transition for those most severely affected must be at the heart of our response.
"A detailed implementation plan will be prepared in response to the Report's recommendations, however I believe we must take urgent action in some key areas. The Just Transition Fund is opening so we can get money to those who can make a big difference.
"I'd like to thank Kieran for his work to date. He has engaged with all those affected to come up with a comprehensive set of recommendations which will provide the essential elements of a Just Transition for workers and Midlands communities."
Minister Bruton appointed Kieran Mulvey to be the first Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019.
Kieran Mulvey said:
"There has been a very positive engagement from all the stakeholders in the region and it is vital now that the process can move rapidly to an Implementation Plan. I have adopted a "whole of Midlands" strategic approach with what I believe are practical actions across counties to maximise their infrastructural, natural and human resources and building on their existing strengths.
"The first part of such a plan is to receive and evaluate employment projects in the Midlands that have green enterprise and other employment/tourism potential. This period has to be used also to finalise the critical pathways for the retention of employment in BNM/ESB, give certainty around the future structure of the workforce and to establish further employment opportunities in the region.
"I look forward to continuing to work locally with all the parties involved to achieve and deliver solid and recognisable community gains and to promote the Midlands and its potential."
The report makes recommendations across a number of areas. A comprehensive implementation plan will be completed as soon as possible, facilitated by a Working Group chaired by the Department of an Taoiseach.
The minister has taken the following immediate initiatives:
The minister has asked that urgent action be taken on foot of the report's publication. A detailed implementation plan will be completed as soon as possible, with certain, high priority measures implemented before then.
The minister also today provided an update on progress made in other key areas of the Just Transition Plan for the midlands:
The Minister also updated government about the preparation of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill, which is undergoing detailed drafting at present.
The government's initial response to the report is published here.
ENDS
The accelerated exit from peat will mean that at least 1.25 million tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved each year and emissions will reduce by up to 9 million tonnes up to 2027.
Just Transition Commissioner – Terms of Reference
1. As announced in Budget 2020, the Government is appointing Kieran Mulvey as a Commissioner to help ensure a co-ordinated and effective approach to Just Transition, focusing initially on communities and workers affected by the ending of peat harvesting for power generation in the Midlands region.
2. Just Transition is a framework that encompasses a range of social interventions needed to secure livelihoods when economies are shifting to sustainable production. The Just Transition approach emphasises a coordinated, long-term, and multi-pronged response involving social partners, industry, and Government. The Midlands will be the first region facing this disruption, and as such will present important opportunities to learn for other areas and sectors affected in the years ahead.
3. The Commissioner will engage with all relevant stakeholders, including:
4. The Commissioner is asked to recommend, having engaged with stakeholders and taking account of their feedback, and reviewing experience and good practice in other projects/areas domestically and internationally, the essential elements of a Just Transition for workers and communities most affected, including through:
5. In undertaking this work, the Commissioner will take account of relevant existing plans and programmes by the State (e.g. Bord na Móna's Brown to Green Strategy, the Regional Enterprise Development Fund), as well as provisions made in Budget 2020 to support a Just Transition in the region including:
6. The Commissioner will report quarterly to Government, through the Minister for Communications, Climate Action, and the Environment.
7. The Commissioner will not have a direct role in relation to industrial relations matters in Bord na Móna who will continue to work with the Joint Industrial Relations Council established under the Workplace Relations Commission.
8. Secretariat support for the Commissioner will be provided by the Department of Communications, Climate Action, and the Environment or the Midlands Transition Team as appropriate. The existing interdepartmental Group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach will also be available to provide any assistance necessary as the Commissioner's work proceeds.
9. As this model represents a new departure in terms of managing the impact of climate change, it will be reviewed after two years to see if it fulfils the aim of ensuring a Just Transition for the Midlands.
Preparation of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill
The General Scheme of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill was approved by Government on 17 December 2019 and submitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for priority drafting.
Key provisions in the Bill include: