Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to have further discussions with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on the development of cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25853/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions his Department is having with its counterparts in Northern Ireland on the development of cross-Border tourism projects that would be of particular benefit to rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25854/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.

Discussions between my Department and counterpart Departments in Northern Ireland take place primarily within the Steering Committee process for the PEACE IV programme, engaging directly on specific projects from time to time when necessary.

PEACE IV supports peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, promoting social and economic stability particularly through actions promoting cohesion between communities.  It is co-funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund. 

My Department is an Accountable Department and provides funding under three themes - Shared Spaces and Services, Building Positive Relations, and Children and Young People.  The Department's primary role in developing projects is as an adviser on the PEACE IV Steering Committee, together with other relevant Departments from Ireland and Northern Ireland.  

The Steering Committee, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body as part of its overall management of PEACE IV, considers and approves all funding applications.  I understand that almost all of the PEACE allocation will be committed by the PEACE IV Steering Committee this year and there are no plans at present to discuss projects outside of the Steering Committee process and associated engagements.