€36 million EUJTF invested in Climate Action in the Midlands

This final allocation from the EU Just Transition Fund demonstrates commitment to:

• implement high-impact climate actions
• accelerate local climate action
• provide local communities with future-proofed sustainable infrastructure
• and enhance our environment

Minister Darragh O’Brien has announced the selection of 33 Local Authority led projects in the Midlands under Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme. Pending the finalisation of grant agreements, these projects will be provided with over €36 million to support the delivery of strategic actions within Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). This targeted support will boost social and environmental resilience of communities in the Midlands.

Projects have been selected through a competitive call under the EU Just Transition Fund Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) scheme, administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. This call was aimed at funding strategic actions contained within the LA CAPs in Local Authorities located within the EU Just Transition Territory. START is co-funded by the Government and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.

The projects approved for funding will deliver significant benefits to the region, including:

• upgrades to recreational spaces, including greenways, walking paths and parks;
• active travel routes;
• carbon reduction improvements in public and community buildings, including leisure centres and libraries; and
• feasibility studies to support future local climate action.

Commenting on the projects selected for funding, Minister O’Brien said:

“This investment under the START scheme, co-funded by the EU Just Transition Fund and the Government, underlines the Government’s commitment to both a just transition and accelerating local authority climate action and delivery. While €30 million was allocated for this scheme initially, the quality of projects submitted was to such a high standard that I am delighted to allocate a further €6 million in Government funding. This total funding will allow 33 projects to go ahead. I am looking forward to seeing the broad range of projects progress which will further enhance the wider Midlands region as a place to live, work, invest and visit.”

Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund, said:

“A targeted regional approach is essential to ensuring that climate action responds to the distinct needs and opportunities of our communities. These locally led projects that are now receiving funding thanks to the START Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund, will deliver practical measures that strengthen climate resilience and support a fair transition to a low-carbon future. As Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is committed to enabling their delivery across the Midlands.”

Anna Shakespeare, CEO of Pobal said:

“Pobal welcomes today’s announcement of the successful projects under the EU JTF START Scheme and congratulates the Local Authorities receiving funding. The diverse projects demonstrate a tangible investment in the development of local communities, supporting the economic diversification of the midlands region as they transition to a low carbon economy.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and participating Local Authorities as these projects progress.”

Pobal have now contacted the projects that applied under START and invited those that have been selected for funding to begin grant agreement negotiations.

Further information on the START scheme can be found on the Pobal website.

 

Selected Projects

Project Name	Project Description	Approved Funding Amount	County
Aughrim Climate Action Park	To fund the development of the Aughrim Climate Action Park through the rehabilitation of 1.7 hectares of agricultural land and its transformation into a climate-resilient community asset, enhancing biodiversity and providing a public amenity in the Aughrim Village area.	€502,315	Galway
Ballinasloe Active Travel Scheme	To fund a 1.35 km active travel scheme along the R446 in Ballinasloe, providing new cycle paths, upgraded footpaths, new and enhanced crossing facilities, accessible bus stops, sustainable drainage measures and landscaping improvements.	€4,722,712	Galway
Poolboy Footpath to Cuil na Canalacht	To fund the construction of 85 metres of new footpath and the rehabilitation of 125 metres of existing footpath linking the Cúil na Canalacht housing estate to Ballinasloe Town Centre.	€248,508	Galway
Shannon Bank Eco Park Development	To fund the development of the Shannon Bank Eco Park through a range of sustainable infrastructure, accessibility, biodiversity and environmental education measures. These include solar PV panels with battery storage, energy-efficiency upgrades to existing facilities, accessible car park improvements, bicycle parking, replacement of diesel-powered maintenance equipment, biodiversity enhancements, and the provision of outdoor learning pods.	€318,112	Galway
Athy Leisure Centre Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Works	To fund the decarbonisation of the facility through the replacement of approximately 90% of gas-based heating with air-to-water heat pumps, alongside upgrades to the building management system, pool heat exchangers, pool pumps, air handling units, metering and control systems, and the installation of a rooftop solar PV system with battery storage.	€640,221	Kildare
Athy Library Geothermal	To fund the replacement of an existing gas-fired heating system with a closed-loop geothermal heating system at a key cultural building in Athy.	€408,394	Kildare
Carton Avenue Amenity Lands Conservation and Masterplan	To fund a conservation masterplan in Carton Avenue, near Maynooth, developing an existing park and integrating biodiversity measures.	€299,600	Kildare
RegenTEC (Regeneration Training and Education Centre) Circular Economy Hub Phases 2 & 3	To fund the retrofit of a 1613 sq. metres old school to create an educational space and an innovative learning experience demonstrating excellence in building reuse, low carbon construction and sustainable development.	€4,961,051	Kildare
Brittas Woods Sustainable Connectivity Feasibility Study	To fund the Preliminary design, stakeholder engagement, scheme design, and Part 8 planning process for the Brittas Woods connectivity project. The investment will support high-precision drone and LiDAR surveys to identify the most sustainable and cost-effective route which includes engineering design to ensure accessibility for wheelchairs, buggies, and users of varying mobility levels.	€299,600	Laois
Decarbonisation of Portarlington Leisure Centre	To fund the decarbonisation and upgrade of critical heating, ventilation and environmental control infrastructure at Portarlington Leisure Centre. The project includes the replacement of ageing end-of-life plant and the installation of modern low-carbon systems.	€727,345	Laois
Decarbonisation of Portlaoise Leisure Centre	To fund the upgrade and decarbonisation of critical energy infrastructure at Portlaoise Leisure Centre, including replacement of the aging Combined Heat and Power (CHP) heating system and associated Air Handling Units approaching end-of-life.	€725,944	Laois
Savoy Cinema Portarlington Regeneration Project	To fund feasibility, technical, environmental and conservation assessments, develop design options, complete all necessary surveys and reports, and prepare the Savoy Cinema regeneration project to Part 8 planning stage.	€257,649	Laois
Clondra to Termonbarry Greenway Stage (ii) Design and Stage (iii) Tender Preparation	To fund the Stage (ii) Design and Stage (iii) Tender Preparation of the development of a 1.6 km greenway connection between the village of Clondra (Co. Longford) and Termonbarry (Co. Roscommon), traversing a cross-boundary corridor along the Camlin River, Royal Canal and River Shannon interfaces.	€231,457	Longford
Connolly Barracks Outbuildings and Public Realm Feasibility Study	To fund the delivery of a feasibility study and options report for a cluster of underutilised protected structure outbuildings and an associated public area 1.0484ha to the rear of Connolly Barracks, supporting their sustainable and integrated reuse.	€300,000	Longford
Decarbonisation of Áras an Chontae	To fund the retrofit and decarbonisation of Áras an Chontae through building fabric upgrades, replacement windows and doors, internal insulation works, the installation of an air-to-water heat pump with backup heating, and rooftop solar PV panels.	€1,602,876	Longford
Lanesboro Masterplan	To fund the preparation of a feasibility study, environmental assessments, and masterplan for a 6-acre site in Lanesboro, Co. Longford, to guide its regeneration as a sustainable civic cluster adjacent to the former power station lands and Lough Ree SPA.	€299,386	Longford
Longford Branch Library Energy Retrofit	To fund the retrofit of Longford Library through energy-efficiency and accessibility upgrades, including roof repairs and insulation, solar PV installation, external wall insulation, upgraded windows and doors, a heat pump and heating system upgrade, a building management system, electrical and IT infrastructure improvements, and a new accessible lift	€1,017,570	Longford
Phase 2 – Old Post Office Energy Retrofit	To fund Phase 2 climate and energy upgrades to the Enterprise and Energy Hub at the Old Post Office in Longford Town.	€246,506	Longford
Church Hill Climate Park Feasibility Study	To fund undertaking of surveys, environmental assessments, hydrological and ecological modelling, community co-design, concept master-planning, statutory screening, Part 8 planning documentation, cost planning and business case development for the Church Hill Climate Action Park.	€250,000	Offaly
Geothermal Feasibility Study for Tullamore DZ	To fund a feasibility study to consider possibility of geothermal as a scalable decarbonized heating supply for approx. 100 social houses. Also to fund an open-loop geothermal feasibility study for the former Machinery Yard and multi-family housing scheme in central Tullamore.	€264,825	Offaly
Tullamore Library – Energy Efficiency Project	To fund energy-efficiency and decarbonisation upgrades at Tullamore Library, including heating controls and building management system upgrades, domestic hot water improvements, the installation of an air source heat pump, lighting upgrades, additional metering, and a 20kW solar PV system.	€324,664	Offaly
Tullamore Leisure Centre – Energy Efficiency Project	To fund energy-efficiency upgrades to the building, including improvements to the mechanical and electrical systems, building fabric, walls, roof, and external works.	€4,904,627	Offaly
Tullamore Multimodal Transport Hub	To fund a feasibility study for a Multimodal Transport Hub at Tullamore Train Station, supporting a shift to sustainable mobility in County Offaly.	€100,000	Offaly
Ballyforan Bog Loop Connection	To fund an application to progress the recently completed vision study for connecting Ballyforan village to the 3.1 km bog looped walk.	€214,000	Roscommon
Castlerea Riverside Walkway	To fund the upgrade of 148m of an existing riverside walkway in Castlerea town centre, which is currently relatively inaccessible.	€409,542	Roscommon
Peatland Trails Roscommon	To fund the delivery of a shared walking and cycling trail on Bord Na Mona lands in the townlands of Meelick, Derrymoylin, Cuilbeg, Slattagh More, Dooslattagh, Caul and Cloonmore in Co. Roscommon.	€4,996,900	Roscommon
Roscommon Rural Water Solar	To fund the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and associated infrastructure at five community-owned group water scheme facilities.	€419,718	Roscommon
Carrick-on-Suir Riverside Rehabilitation & Revitalisation	To fund the rehabilitation of a long-derelict brownfield site in Carrick-on-Suir through the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, demolition of unsafe structures, treatment of invasive species, and remediation of contaminated ground.	€1,645,580	Tipperary
Thurles Renewable Thermal Energy Infrastructure Project	To fund renewable thermal energy and energy efficiency upgrades for Thurles Leisure Centre, The Source Arts Centre, and Thurles Library. This includes the installation of biomass and heat pump technologies, PV generation (for on-site use only), upgraded district heating infrastructure, Building Management System (BMS) upgrades and associated electrical and mechanical improvements.	€1,238,064	Tipperary
Ballinahown Greenway Link	To fund the construction of a 1.3 km off-road shared pedestrian and cycle route linking Ballinahown Village connecting to the Bord na Móna Greenway network and providing a safe walking/cycle route connecting the National School, village, and Sports Park.	€550,000	Westmeath
Blackhall Site Rehabilitation	To fund targeted archaeological, environmental and infrastructure enabling works to rehabilitate a 1.3-hectare brownfield site at Blackhall Place, Mullingar.	€2,600,000	Westmeath
Westmeath Archives and Library Feasibility Study	To fund a feasibility study to assess the development of a co-located County Archives and Library extension in Athlone. The study will evaluate site options, spatial and technical requirements, energy performance (including Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliance), and operational models, alongside economic, heritage and service demand analysis. It will produce a fully defined, investment-ready infrastructure proposal.	€107,000	Westmeath
Westmeath County-Wide PV Feasibility Study	To fund a feasibility study to assess the potential for solar PV generation and battery storage across Westmeath County Council properties, including rooftop arrays, solar carports, and public spaces.	€251,191	Westmeath