Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the case of the refugee and integration funds combined, for up to the programme year of 2009 - the eligibility period for which ended on 30 June 2011 - we used approximately 54% of our allocation. Some 65% of the allocation for the return fund was used in the programme year of 2008, while 90% was used in 2009. The proposal is designed to make it easier for countries in a bailout programme which, by definition, have serious problems. The proposal will also radically reduce the requirement for matching funding. In the case of projects which currently qualify for 75% co-funding, the amount will soon become 95%. In other words, the organisation which brings forward a project will only be obliged to raise 5% of the funding required. In the most recent round of funding under the refugee and integration funds, some 18 of 22 projects received 75%. All past and current projects funded under the return fund received 50%. This will be increasing to 75%.

The increases involved are substantial. The money provided by the Government will be capable of being recouped. What is proposed will make matters far easier for the projects and for us also. As a result of what is being done, projects which could not procure the funding necessary in the past in order to qualify will now find it much easier to qualify.