Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
16. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will issue emergency funding to a hugely successful project at an OPW site (details supplied) to see the project to the end of 2026, and allow time for the project to source alternative longer term funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) Programme and Territorial Just Transition Plan were approved by the Government and by the European Commission in December 2022. The Programme was formally launched on 28 April 2023. The EU JTF Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the Midlands region, incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund for 2021 – 2027 and national co-financing.
As the Managing Authority for the Programme, the Eastern and Midland Regional assembly (EMRA) has overall responsibility for the implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of the programme.
The Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme (LRESSS) is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department as part of Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund. The LRESSS aims to support the implementation of bottom-up local and regional initiatives which align with the priorities of the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) and Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) in the territory.
Project modifications requested by grantee organisations are submitted through a formal change request procedure. Requests representing a significant change from the previously agreed proposal are referred by Pobal to a panel consisting of members of my Department and EMRA
Through the change request procedure, the referenced project applied for and received additional funding in December 2025 bringing the total project allocation to just over €4,000 below the maximum funding threshold for LECP projects (€1 million). As a result, the grantee cannot request any additional funding beyond the amount already provided.
