Written answers

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Northern Ireland

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will be moving to avail of the PEACE PLUS funding to promote North-South co-operation; the European funds that are currently being targeted; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32467/21]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Government has advocated strongly for a new EU-funded cooperation programme between Ireland and Northern Ireland for the 2021-2027 EU programming period.

I am very pleased that such a programme has been secured. The new PEACE PLUS programme will combine and build on the current North South cross border cooperation programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA., and will aim to build peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

As for other programmes in the EU family of cross-border cooperation programmes, PEACE PLUS will be funded by the European Regional Development programme, under its European Territorial Cooperation objective. Funding contributions will come from the EU, the Irish Government, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.While the funding quantum is not fully finalised, it is likely to be in the region of €1 billion.

This new programme will cover an eligible area of Northern Ireland and Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. However, I would note that there are also opportunities for cooperation beyond this programme area.

The development process for PEACE PLUS has been led by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the North South Implementation Body which administers the current PEACE and INTERREG cross-border EU programmes. SEUPB has worked closely with my Department and with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and is also being supported by a cross-sectoral Programme Development Steering Group. SEUPB has been engaged in extensive preparation work for PEACE PLUS since 2019, including engagement with government departments North and South as well as public consultation.

On foot of this development work, SEUPB has prepared a draft PEACE PLUS programme with six themes:

- Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities

- Delivering Economic Regeneration and Transformation

- Empowering and Investing in Our Young People

- Healthy and Inclusive Communities

- Supporting a Sustainable Future;

- Building and Embedding Partnership and Collaboration.

Public consultation on the draft programme concluded on 12 May 2021, and the SEUPB is currently preparing a final draft which will be brought to the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive before submission to the European Commission.

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