Local Independent Deputy, Denis Naughten, has welcomed the allocation of a €169m EU Just Transition Fund for the Midland counties but cautioned 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.
“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.”
“It is also imperative that communities are not forced to fundraise for these replacement jobs, as has been the case with the Government run Just Transition Fund, which requires the communities most impacted by the Bord na Mona job losses to raise their own funds to draw down Government support.”
“This practice is unfair and would not be asked of any other community impacted to such an extent by job losses,” Deputy Naughten stated.
