Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm if alternative funding has been arranged for the STEM engagement officer and the STEM programme, in County Laois; the positive contribution made by this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47370/26]
View answerThe EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) aims to address the employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. In Ireland, the EU JTF is focused on the wider Midlands region which has been impacted by the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat.
The Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the just transition process in the territory, incorporating €84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund for 2021 – 2027 and national co-financing of €84.5m.
Ireland’s EU JTF Programme is across four strategic investment priorities and eight actions. One of the actions (Action 1.2) is the Local Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme (LRESSS), administered by Pobal, which has supported sustainability-focused projects to support locally-led economic development in the territory. The LRESSS commenced in 2024.
Under LRESSS, Laois County Council submitted an application for funding to implement the ‘Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition’ under their Regional Enterprise Plans on behalf of four local authorities (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath). An element of the plan was recruiting Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) engagement officers in each local authority. This application was approved by my Department on foot of recommended applications for funding from Pobal and was allocated €3.992m in line with the funding requested.
Laois County Council requested that the project completion period be extended from March to September 2026 which my Department approved. The work of the STEM officers completed in advance of the school summer break and the overall project will conclude in September in line with the new agreed programme timeline for EU JTF Action 1.2.
The seeking of additional funding to continue these posts is a matter for the local authority concerned which would be expected to engage with the relevant policy Departments in relation to longer term funding.
