Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has formally raised the issue at EU level of an EU reform or structural fund being established to help industries and regions most exposed to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the significant and unique impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role. This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent follow on contacts. Commissioner Oettinger also met with the with Taoiseach, Minister Donohoe and Minister of State D’Arcy during his visit, which was focused on the negotiations for the EU’s post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, which represent a key challenge and priority for the Government. The scope for support for Ireland, if needed, in the 2021-27 MFF is being pursued and the Commission’s recent MFF proposals include a basis for further work to be taken ahead during the MFF negotiations. The Government’s efforts have already yielded results and it is clear that there is a firm understanding at EU level of the unique and disproportionate impact that Brexit will have on Ireland. This has already been reflected in a number of concrete measures and commitments to date, such as the European Investment Bank’s support for the Government’s Brexit Loan Scheme.

My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is also working actively, with the support of other relevant Departments, with the European Commission to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. The EU Commission has approved a ‘rescue and restructuring’ scheme, which provides support to SMEs experiencing acute liquidity needs as a result of Brexit.

The Government is also working intensively to safeguard the significant financial support there has been for the border region of Ireland and for Northern Ireland, with almost €2.4 billion of EU funding having been provided for successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes. The current programmes have a combined value of over €550 million over the period 2014-2020, of which 85% is funded through the European Regional Development Fund. I welcome the Commission’s most recent proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme as part of the next MFF which will build on and continue the work of successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes.