Government funding of €1m for the upgrade of the Dalton Centre in Shannonbridge, County Offaly, has been welcomed by local council.

The funding application submitted by Offaly County Council, entitled 'The Dalton Centre – Enabling the Transition to Net Zero,' identified the requirement for the provision of essential services to the building and surrounding site, in order that it can used for training or job creation in the construction and renewable energy sectors.

Following approval, Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, announced the awardance of the funding from the EU Just Transition Fund 2021-2027.

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The Dalton Centre is a large 1,200 square meter industrial building on a 4-hectare site, which has only ever been used to house archive material belonging to the ESB. 

The Dalton Centre on the site adjacent to the West Offaly Power Station, was formally transferred by the ESB to Offaly County Council in May 2024 with the Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney, advising that it will allow the Local Authority to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to the local communities in West Offaly in response to their needs.

This week, Ms Delaney reiterated: "Offaly County Council’s commitment to the former peat communities in West Offaly who have been most impacted by the cessation of commercial peat harvesting and the closure of peat fired power stations in the county in recent years.  With the assistance of the EU Just Transition Fund, an upgraded building and site will now be offered to parties willing to enter into a long-term lease with Offaly County Council.  "Interested parties must be committed to economic diversification or training which supports the development of skills that are now required for the new and emerging businesses within the low carbon economy."

The project will be managed by the staff of Birr Municipal District with a completion date of March 31, 2026.