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East Galway and a number of counties in the midlands will benefit from almost €169 million in funding under the EU’s Just Transition Fund.
The funding was allocated to East Galway, Kildare, Laois, Longford, north Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath to support the region as Ireland moves away from fossil fuels.
The money will be used to generate new green jobs, stimulate enterprise, increase sustainable tourism, restore damaged peatlands and alleviate the economic impacts of the transition to climate neutrality.
Local TD Denis Naughten welcomed the funding but warned that it is “vital that this funding delivers long term sustainable jobs across the region to replace the jobs lost in both the ESB and Bord na Mona.”
“The closure of the two power stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge have had a huge impact on the local economy not just in terms of immediate job losses, but also in terms of the impact that this spending had on the sustainability of many other businesses and communities,” he said.
“That is why it is imperative that this funding is targeted at projects that can deliver long term sustainable employment not just for the existing employees but for their children and the generations to come if we are to ensure that whole communities are not abandoned forever as a result of the closure of the two power stations.”
