Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on proposed changes to the Ireland Wales INTERREG 5A programme to exclude inland counties including County Kildare which had previously been included and had accessed funding for local communities; the reason such changes were agreed; the alternative level of funding that will be available to such counties in the event that this proposal goes ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23910/15]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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300. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014 to 2020; his plans to address the concerns in regard to the core issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 300 together.

The Ireland Wales Co-Operation Programme has a total value of approximately €100 million over the period 2014-2020.  It will support projects with partners in both Ireland and Wales focussing on activities across three priority areas: 

- Priority Axis 1: Cross Border Innovation

- Priority Axis 2: Adaptation of the Irish Sea and Coastal Communities to Climate Change

- Priority Axis 3: Cultural and Natural Resources and Heritage 

Given that the Ireland Wales border is a maritime border, the Programme must have a maritime focus.  Nevertheless, the eligible area in Ireland includes inland counties (Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary) as well as coastal counties (Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Kerry). 

Project partners in any of the counties in the eligible area may put forward project proposals for any of the priorities.  Given that it is a cross-border Programme, projects must have partners in both Ireland and Wales and they must have a cross-border added-value element.  In the case of one of the three priorities (Priority Axis 3:  Cultural and Natural Resources and Heritage) the project benefits must accrue to coastal communities.  This was a requirement of the European Commission and applies equally to Ireland and Wales.  Inland counties are not precluded from taking part in this priority, but the benefits must accrue to the coastal community as well as to the non-coastal community.