Cowen calls for full review as 'scandalous' Offaly snub shows skewed distribution of Just Transition Funding

Barry Cowen TD, and Fianna Fáil European Election candidate for the Midlands North West, has branded the lack of Just Transition funding for Offaly as “an absolute disgrace”.

Last week, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, announced €18 million in funding for 15 projects in the Midlands from the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF).

However, only two projects from Co. Offaly benefitted from the scheme - Film Offaly and Kilcormac Development Association - despite 12 being submitted, with the Faithful County receiving less than €550,000.

Deputy Cowen, a TD for Laois/Offaly, for whom Sustainable Food Production, Just Transition, Energy Security and Tax and Innovation are central priorities of his European Election Campaign, has described the decision as “extremely disappointing”.

“The feeling in Offaly is one of outrage,” Deputy Cowen said. “While I welcome the boost for the whole region - and indeed for Film Offaly and the Kilcormac Development Association - the lack of funding allocated for Offaly is extremely disappointing, to say the least.

“Offaly is the county impacted most by Just Transition - towns and villages were decimated, jobs and livelihoods were lost - with the acceleration of decarbonisation by Bord na Móna and the ESB having severe impact on peatlands, and that must be reflected in the distribution of funding.

“No region should be left behind by decarbonisation, and I certainly won’t allow it to happen to mine. We’ve fought hard for several years to ensure Offaly received necessary and fair treatment in regards to Just Transition.

“Offaly should be receiving a maximum allocation of the fund, but instead has been awarded just 3% - it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Deputy Cowen is calling for a full review in how Just Transition Funding is allocated and its outcomes at both National and European level.

“I’ve always wanted greater local and regional ownership in the process of Just Transition funding - its interrogation and its delivery. The absence of that inclusion is reflected here, with the distribution of the funds clearly being skewed in a nonsensical way,” Deputy Cowen added. “I played a central role in initially securing the inclusion of peat regions in EU Just Transition Funding, and I will endeavor to ensure that the EU directs that type of structure in the next round of funding with relevant weight attached to the counties most impacted by Bord na Móna and ESB job losses over the years and amongst relevant criteria.

“I am calling on Minister Ryan and the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure the lion’s share of the remaining €6 million under the appeals process is sent where it is most needed.

“I am also seeking a full review of National and EU Just Transition Funding, and an evaluation of the outcomes of the funding to date. We need the full facts of how much has been drawn down, who the recipients and grant applicants.

“There are clearly severe flaws in the process, and the proud people of Offaly have been overlooked and underfunded for far too long, they deserve far better than this scandalous treatment.”

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