Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The development of Ireland's regions is a shared priority across Government and a core objective of Project Ireland 2040. The main EU funding streams for cohesion policy and regional development include: the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the European Social Fund, which is overseen by the Department of Education and Skills; the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which is delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, which is also overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

As far as my Department is concerned, EU funding to support regional development is provided through LEADER and the PEACE IV programmes. Some EU funding is also provided to my Department from the European Social Fund under the SICAP programme.

LEADER contributes significantly to the development of rural communities and businesses. Almost 2,000 projects with a value of €69 million have been approved under the current LEADER programme. LEADER is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

PEACE IV is a cross-Border programme for the period 2014 to 2020 that supports peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Overall responsibility for the programme rests with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, my Department is accountable for three of the four measures under the programme. The total funding allocated to date under these measures is approximately €179 million.

Both LEADER and PEACE IV make a significant contribution to the development of the regions.

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