Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there has been any improvement in the speed of accessing and processing applications under the EU Solidarity Fund since the amendment in July 2013; if his Department or the Department on Foreign Affairs and Trade plan to raise the matter of lowering the thresholds and-or speeding up the process of sanctioning funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9309/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural disasters and express European solidarity with disaster-stricken regions of Europe. The Fund was created in response to the severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002. 

In July 2013, following a review of the operation of the Fund, the European Commission proposed amendments to the EUSF Regulation aimed at improving the operation of the Fund.  These proposals seek to make the Fund more responsive and simpler to use, with clearer criteria as to who can benefit.  The principles of the Fund remain unchanged, however, as does the way it is financed, i.e. outside the normal EU Budget.  Ireland supports the objective of improving the operation of the Fund. 

The proposals are subject to the co-decision procedure by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament and are currently the subject of negotiations between the co-legislators.  The existing Regulation remains in force until the new proposals have been agreed and given legislative effect.