Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has held discussions with the European Commission on the possible allocation of cohesion funding for the Border region post-2020 in view of the particular challenges that will arise in that area following Brexit and the need to improve infrastructure to assist existing businesses remain competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26097/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

33. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has discussed with the European Commission the need to maintain the maximum possible level of financial support for cross-Border programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26098/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will raise at the European Council the possibility of having cohesion funds made available for infrastructural development in the Border region post 2020, in view of the particular challenges that will arise in that area due to Brexit. [21881/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that the possibility of having cohesion funds made available for infrastructural development in the Border region post-2020 will be given urgent consideration, in view of the challenges that will arise from Brexit; and if such a proposal will be raised at the European Council. [21882/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 33, 127 and 128 together.

I can assure the Deputy that I share his appreciation for the contribution that EU-funded cross-border programmes make to the border region and the importance of ensuring continued funding for the programmes.  I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss this matter with him and other colleagues when I appeared before the All Party Committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in February.

Ireland takes part in two cross-border programmes with Northern Ireland, namely the PEACE Programme and the INTERREG Programme, the latter which also involves Western Scotland.  The programmes have a combined value of €550 million over the period 2014-2020.

As part of my Department's contingency planning for Brexit the risks to these cross-border programmes, which are 85% funded by the EU, were identified.  The Irish Government has been clear about its commitment to the successful implementation of the current programmes and to successor programmes post-2020. 

Last October the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance, Máirtín Ó Muilleor, and I were able to announce that, following intensive discussions with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, agreement had been reached on a safeguard clause that has enabled Letters of Offer to issue to programme beneficiaries for both the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. 

Now that that short term objective has been achieved, the medium term objective is to ensure the full and successful implementation of the programmes out to 2020, during a period in which the UK is expected to leave the EU and the UK allocation of ERDF funding may no longer be available.  The long term objective is to secure agreement to successor programmes post-2020.

In that context I raised the impact of Brexit on the two programmes at last month’s meeting of the General Affairs Council devoted to Cohesion Policy in Luxembourg.  While in Luxembourg I also took the opportunity to have bilateral meeting with Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu where I impressed upon her the enormous contribution that EU funding has made, not only to the process of peace building and reconciliation but also to the economic and social development of the region, as well as the vital importance of continuing this funding.

My officials and I are continuing to work to ensure the successful implementation of the current programme as well as successor programmes post 2020.