Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

An extension to the end of 2006 will bring the programme in line with other Structural Funds programmes. Therefore, a new PEACE III programme could not be sought until then. Both Governments wanted to ensure that a gap period did not occur and, therefore, an extension rather than a new programme was sought at that stage. The question of whether there will be a PEACE III programme will be considered in the context of the budget discussions for 2007-13, financial perspectives which are being discussed in respect of all programmes and policies thereafter. What we were doing here was to make sure that this programme which was due to end last year was extended to bring it in line with other structural funds programmes so that one could make the argument thereafter.

Regarding the funding arrangements, the total fund of €707 million, including Exchequer and other matching funds, has been made available to projects in Northern Ireland and the six Border counties in PEACE II between 2000 and the end of 2004. The EU contribution was €531 million, with a ratio of 80:20, four to one respectively between North and South. The Border region has received €106 million in Structural Funds, an average of about €21 million annually, plus additional Exchequer support of €35 million over the five years. Under the terms of the programme, 15% of total funding was allocated for promoting and supporting cross-Border activity. The amount available, including the maximum funding in 2005, totals €80 million. This breaks down to €56 million to Northern Ireland and €24 million to the Border region. These are independent of or in addition to the national development plan programme rolling out the regional development objectives of the BMW region.

As regards the specifics on the opportunities for women, I have not got the information available as to whether that is covered in the child care sector of the extended PEACE II programme.

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