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Government announces €3m to support Longford and Offaly County Councils with Just Transition
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning have announced the provision of €3m in 2022 for Just Transition in Counties Longford and Offaly.
€1.3m will be provided to Longford County Council and €1.7m will be provided to Offaly County Council.
The funding is being provided in response to the closure of peat fired power plants in 2020, and recognises the serious ongoing impact of these closures locally.
In 2019, Lanesboro/Lough Ree Power Station accounted for approximately 16% of the rates receipts for Longford County Council, and Shannonbridge/West Offaly Power Station approximately 20% of the rates receipts of Offaly County Council.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, said:
“Just Transition is integral to the Government’s Climate Action Plan, and we are committed to supporting those communities who are transitioning to a low carbon economy.
It is recognised that these power plants made a significant contribution to the rates income of Longford and Offaly County Councils, and the serious impact their closure has had on both counties. The Government is committed to providing some funding certainty at this time, and the allocation is to provide support and mitigate the losses in these local economies.”