Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the PEACE IV programme, the total funding to be allocated to this programme both North and South, the likely timescale for commencement of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44055/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The SEUPB is currently involved in drafting the Operational Programme for the PEACE IV Programme in close consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. It is anticipated that the draft Operational Programme for PEACE IV will be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government in 2014. Formal submission to the EU Commission will take place following the agreement of the two Governments and the conclusion of negotiations on the Cohesion Legislative Package with the European Parliament. While significant progress was made by the Irish Presidency on the Cohesion Legislative Package, negotiations are continuing with the Council and European Parliament to finalise the package. Until such time as agreement is reached, operational programmes cannot be agreed with the European Commission.

On 8 February 2013 the European Council agreement on the MFF included provision for funding of €150 million towards a new PEACE Programme as part of the EU Cohesion package. I also welcome the inclusion of an additional €50m UK funding for PEACE IV which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced in the context of the Building a Prosperous and United Community pact signed in Downing Street on 14 June. The total contributions from Ireland and the United Kingdom to the PEACE programme will be determined in the context of the programme planning and the final outcome of the negotiations on the Cohesion Legislative Package with the European Parliament.