Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the role of managing authorities for the 2021-27 European regional development funds operational programmes; when the Crowe review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the 22nd of October I announced that the Regional Assemblies will act as Managing Authorities for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programmes for the 2021 – 2027 programming period.

Ireland is likely to receive a total of €350m in ERDF funding, over the seven year period 2021-2027. Reflecting the two different EU classifications of the development status of different regions in Ireland, there will be two ERDF Operational Programmes (OP):

1. An OP for the area designated as ‘Region in Transition’, (as its GDP is 75%-100% of the EU27 average), is to be managed by the Northern Western Regional Assembly (NWRA).

2. An OP for the Southern Regional Area, and for the Eastern and Midlands Regional Authority Area, both designated as "Developed", (as GDP is more than 100% of the EU27 average), is to be managed by the Southern Regional Authority, with significant input from the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly.

In 2019, following a competitive tender, the Department undertook a review of Structures for the Management of ERDF in advance of the next programming round. ERDF funding will reduce further, to an expected €350m, over this 7 year period. The level of co-financing required to draw down these funds is expected to increase for all but the Northern Western region and activities eligible for support are likely to be concentrated further. Against this background, it was decided to undertake a review to streamline and simplify the structures in place for the administration of these funds. The Crowe Review, which will be published shortly, put forward a number of options for future structures and for administrative improvements. 

 The ERDF Operational Programmes are developed under an EU Partnership model, with extensive consultation involving the Regional Assemblies, social partners and voluntary groups on how the ERDF funding allocation will be spent and implemented for the 2021-27 period. Alongside my Department,  the Managing Authorities will assist in the drafting the ERDF Operational Programmes. The Managing Authorities will monitor implementation on the ground as well as managing projects' compliance with EU Regulations and submitting claims for reimbursement to the EU Commission.

Ireland’s allocation of ERDF has in the past, and will continue in the future, to support projects in all parts of Ireland.