Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measure that will be introduced through the North/South Ministerial body to address funding issues with respect to community projects currently coming to the end of Peace II funding; the Department that will provide mainstream funding for such projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8911/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), one of the six North South Implementation Bodies set up under the Good Friday Agreement. Its primary role is to manage two cross border European Union funded programmes, the PEACE programme and the Ireland/Northern Ireland/Scotland INTERREG programme. The SEUPB reports to the North South Ministerial Council.

I have been informed that the organisation referred to is in receipt of funding under the PEACE II Programme.

The SEUPB has no function in relation to general Departmental funding. However, there will be further EU funds available under the PEACE III Programme. The total amount of funding available in the PEACE III programme is €333 million. This amount is divided between the three priorities of the programme, Priority 1, Reconciling Communities, has been allocated €191 million, Priority 2, Contributing to a Shared Society, has been allocated €122 million and Priority 3, Technical Assistance, €20 million. The SEUPB is the Managing Authority for the new programme and further details in relation to it and the processes to be followed in applying to the programme are available from the SEUPB website at www.seupb.org.