Expansion of Bord na Móna Community Gain Fund would help local communities address climate change – Clendennen

Bord na Móna should provide greater support for community energy projects and expand the Community Benefit Fund for more local communities to qualify, a Fine Gael Councillor has said.

Councillor John Clendennen, who is running for Fine Gael in Offaly, said that as the projects are on what was originally community owned land, more support should be given to communities.

“I know how important the work undertaken by Bord na Móna in the Midlands is and value the contribution they make to our local economy. Their commitment to creating jobs, renewable energy, and helping us reach our climate targets has been a huge help to local areas.

“However, more support is needed for communities that are dealing with the effects of climate change.

“Bord na Móna’s Community Gain Funds is distributed to community and voluntary groups, clubs and societies, or organisations with a charitable status towards community-based projects and initiatives that support the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“In Offaly, the land that Bord na Móna is on was originally community owned land, so it would be great to see more benefit coming to our communities, particularly in the form of renewable energy and tourism benefits.

“We need to see more support setting up community energy projects, which would have the benefit of helping us reach our climate targets and increasing employment in the area.

“Fine Gael has committed in our manifesto to making multi-year investments in areas especially impacted by the shift away from fossil fuels, ensuring balanced funding for regions most affected by job losses as we move to a greener economy, and investing in regenerative tourism projects in Offaly and the Midlands with the help of the EU Just Transition Fund.

“We will take a balanced, long-term approach to climate change that benefits and involves communities right across the Midlands. Key to achieving our climate goals would be expanding this fund so more groups and communities qualify.

“It’s really important that we get active engagement from Bord na Móna on expanding the scheme, so our local communities can thrive”, concluded Clendennen.