Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his understanding of the current status of INTERREG and PEACE IV funding under the umbrella of the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, in view of the UK decision to leave the EU; if the total funding allocated for INTERREG and PEACE IV cross-Border projects will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30232/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the decision of the UK to leave the EU will have significant implications for EU-funded cross-border programmes where one Member State is leaving the EU and the other is remaining.  Nevertheless, the Irish Government remains firmly committed to the full implementation of the two programmes.

A key issue is the basis on which Letters of Offer can issue to programme beneficiaries in circumstances where the UK's allocation under the European Regional Development Fund may not be available for the full period of the two programmes and for individual projects.  My officials are working with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Special EU Programmes Body to ensure that Letters of Offer are Brexit-proofed so that project beneficiaries can have confidence as to the basis of the financial and legal commitments they are being asked to enter into.