Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the PEACEPLUS programme and acknowledge his consistent advocacy for this very exciting programme, in respect of which over €1.1 billion has been allocated. It was approved by the Governments, North and South, in the autumn of last year and was submitted to the European Commission in March. Work to finalise the financing agreement for PEACEPLUS between the EU, Ireland and the UK is at an advanced stage. All parties are aiming to reach an agreed text in July. The formal launch of PEACEPLUS is anticipated for the autumn. We need to see the approval by the Commission of the PEACEPLUS programme. We are expecting that in the near future and, hopefully, all will be set for a launch in the autumn. A lot of advance work is happening pre application. Support is being put in place by the special EU programmes body and the local authorities in the North and along the Border counties to make sure groups are ready to go with their applications.

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