Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will bring the matter to the attention of my colleague. On the second question regarding PEACE funding, my Department's Vote for 2019 includes €2.1 million for PEACE funding. The PEACE programme is 85% funded by the European Union, 7.5% by Ireland and 7.5% by Northern Ireland. It is important to point out that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has informed us that the Commission has guaranteed to continue funding under the PEACE IV programme, including the UK Government element should the UK Government renege on its previous commitment to fund its portion of the current programme, which is in place until 2021.

That is not to say the UK is anywhere near considering that option. Should that be the case, however, this is the contingency plan. The draft withdrawal agreement and the European Commission’s proposal for regulation in the event of a disorderly Brexit both provide the legal basis for the PEACE and INTERREG programmes to continue once the UK leaves the EU.