Parts of Kildare to miss out on Just Transition funding
The fund has been allocated to areas, primarily the midland counties such as Laois and Offaly, but targets affected parts of Kildare also
THE KILDARE-NEWBRIDGE Municipal District is set to miss out on the EU’s Just Transition Fund, designed to support regions Ireland in transitioning to a low-carbon country.
The fund has been allocated to areas, primarily the midland counties such as Laois and Offaly, but targets affected parts of Kildare also.
However, only Clane/ Maynooth and Athy Municipal Districts will be included.
At a recent meeting of the municipal district, cllr Brian O’Loughlin sought clarification on funding locally.
In response, the council confirmed the eligibility criteria for the programme mean that not all areas of Co Kildare will be included.
According to a report issued by the council’s climate action coordinator, the designated Just Transition Territory within the county covers only the municipal districts of Clane/Maynooth and Athy.
Cllr O’Loughlin said he found the exclusion “bizarre and disgraceful", especially considering the huge historical dependency on Bord na Mona and bogs in the district.
The council’s Climate Action Coordinator, Paula O’Rourke confirmed that the decision is ultimately out of the council’s hands, as the decision was made at EU level.
