Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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625. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the information technology systems required to apply for funding under the youth employment initiative have been developed; the steps required and the timelines in terms of compliance with the requirements of the establishment of systems for the successful drawdown of money under the initiative; the status of the implementation of these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28876/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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626. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the annual funding allocated by his Department to projects under the youth employment initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 626 together.

The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) is integrated into European Social Fund (ESF) programming as a dedicated priority axis within the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020 (PEIL) that was adopted by Commission Decision in February 2015.  The specific YEI allocation for Ireland of €68m (for 2014-15) is matched by equal amounts from our ESF allocation and from the Exchequer, giving an overall allocation of €204m.   Seven specific activities were selected for YEI funding namely the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; JobBridge; Jobsplus Incentive Scheme; Tús; Youthreach, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and Momentum. 

In accordance with the Regulations governing the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF, including the ESF and the YEI), the relevant managing and certifying authorities for the Operational Programme must be designated, based on the opinion of an independent audit body which must be satisfied across a range of criteria that systems are in place to allow the authorities to perform their required functions, prior to the making of any application for an interim payment under the Regulations. The systems designation requirements include the provision of a computerised accounting and information system for EU funds to meet the 2014-2020 functionality requirements. The Regulations require Member States to ensure that all exchanges of information between beneficiaries and the relevant authorities and intermediate bodies can be carried out by means of electronic data exchange systems (known as E-Cohesion). These systems will facilitate interoperability with national and Union frameworks and allow for the beneficiaries to submit information only once.

The EU Commission has agreed an interim arrangement whereby claims, including YEI, for the 2014 – 2020 ESIF Operational Programmes can be made using the ICT system originally developed for the 2007 – 2013 Operational Programme, with minor modifications, which have been successfully implemented.  A more comprehensive ICT system (known as e-Cohesion) is in development and will be available for claims from September 2017 onwards.

The ESF Managing Authority is currently finalising its material for transmission to the independent audit body to facilitate designation of the relevant ESF authorities.

The ESF Managing Authority and the Operational Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) maintain an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the PEIL and will re-allocate the available funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulatory provisions. The PMC has agreed in principle to the inclusion of the Community Training Centres, which are funded by the ETBs in consultation with SOLAS, as an approved activity under the YEI with effect from 1 January 2017.

While no payment application has been made to the EU Commission to date in respect of the YEI or the ESF, the EU Regulations allow for the 2014/15 allocations to be spent and claimed before the end of 2018.  The activities are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer and it is expected that the funding will be fully drawn down.