Longford just transition funding
Deputy Flaherty sought confirmation that Longford County Council would receive replacement funding after the Lough Ree power plant closure reduced its rates income. The Tánaiste said just transition remained a priority and expressed confidence the commitment would be met in the next budget.
As the Tánaiste knows, the escalation of decarbonisation brought forward the closure of the Lough Ree power plant in Lanesborough, County Longford to 2020, resulting in a five-year loss of rates in the region of €1.2 million per annum to Longford County Council. Thankfully, in each of the four budgets since, central government stepped into the breach and provided €1.2 million each year to the council. Will the Tánaiste give an assurance that budget 2025 will ensure a similar commitment to the council to allow it to plan for the coming financial year?
Comment on this
The Deputy has raised a very important issue and we will be very positive in this respect. I do not like pre-empting the Ministers for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and Finance but just transition is very important for the midlands and Longford County Council and others.
Deputy Flaherty has taken a huge interest in this and I would like to think we will be in a position to meet that commitment next year.