Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Both INTERREG and PEACE funding are of enormous value to Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The question the Deputy has asked is a very pertinent one. We have had initial discussions on the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, which is the next seven-year budget for the EU which will run from 2021 onwards. As part of that, it has been agreed in principle that there will be a new programme called PEACE PLUS, which will replace the PEACE programmes which preceded it. There will still be funding for Border projects and projects in Northern Ireland. I am endeavouring to secure the ongoing inclusion of Northern Ireland, and indeed Wales, in INTERREG. It is very much a part of our negotiating status for the talks on the MFF.

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