Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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470. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts with regard to plans for increased funding for the Europe for Citizens programme; the timeframe for the draw down of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26853/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Europe for Citizens Programme 2014 – 2020 is a European Commission programme which funds actions that promote understanding between the EU and its citizens, deepening awareness of what it means to be European and encouraging citizens to develop a sense of European identity. The programme is implemented by the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture and has an overall multi-annual budget of €185.5m. Public bodies and non-profit organisations in all 28 member States, accession countries, candidate countries as well as EFTA countries which are party to the EEA agreement can apply for funding. Proposals have not been brought forward by the European Commission for increased funding for the programme, which, like all other EU programmes, has to operate within the tight constraints of the agreed Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-20.The Government strongly supports the ideals of the programme. To promote the programme here and to maximise the potential for success of Irish applicants, following a tendering process last year the NGO, The Wheel, was appointed as National Contact Point. The Wheel provides information, training and advice on draft proposals. Since July 2015 it has organised 16 information sessions at various locations throughout the country, most recently at last week’s National Ploughing Championships. A dedicated website has also been set up - www.europeforcitizens.ie.As a result of these efforts, fourteen organisations which had been assisted by The Wheel applied for funding under the March and November 2016 Funding Rounds. I am happy to advise that, so far this year, two of these organisations have been successful, each receiving grants of €100,000 : Smashing Times Theatre Company (Civil Society project) and Holocaust Education Trust (European Remembrance project). Decisions arising from the November Round are awaited. The next Funding Round closes in March 2017.

I am confident that with ongoing mentoring and support provided by The Wheel that there will be an even larger number of applications made by Irish organisations in the coming years.