Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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272. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will advocate for the whole island of Ireland to benefit from the EU stimulus package. [18746/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The EU funded PEACE and INTERREG programme have invested €3.3bn in Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland since their inception over a quarter of a century ago.  They are an important driver of regional, social and economic development and have played crucial part in supporting peace and reconciliation.  The current PEACE IV and INTERREG VA programmes have a total value of €553 million and are supporting 130 different projects.

The Irish Government has been clear and consistent about its commitment to the successful implementation of these EU funded programmes and to a successor programme – PEACE PLUS – post-Brexit.  We warmly welcomed the Commission’s proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme to build on and continue the work of both the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes in the 2021-2027 programming period.  We also welcome the proposed special allocation of €120 million from the MFF.

 While the programme area covers Northern Ireland and the Irish border counties, those counties most affected by the troubles and by the particular regional development challenges faced by border areas, the programme benefits are not limited to the Irish border counties.  The programme will take account of “Functional Areas”, which recognise that some projects which will directly benefit the programme area are best delivered on a wider geographical basis.  This will provide scope for project activity to extend beyond the six border area counties and Northern Ireland.

The Special EU Programmes Body, for which I am joint sponsor Minister, together with the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland, is leading the development process for PEACE PLUS, in close cooperation with officials from both Departments.