Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

413. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when it is expected to announce details of the Peace Plus Programme; the timeline for the commencement of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2644/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new PEACE PLUS programme will continue the vital work of the two North South cooperation programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA, into the 2021-27 period.  As the successor to both programmes, PEACE PLUS will be a cohesive new programme for the Irish border counties and Northern Ireland.  Financial commitments from the EU, the UK and Ireland mean that the PEACE PLUS programme will have a total value of over €1.1bn.The Special EU Programme Body has responsibility for leading the development of the new programme and managing its implementation.

The draft PEACE PLUS programme is structured around six thematic investment areas:

- Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities;

- Delivering Economic Regeneration and Transformation;

- Empowering and Investing in Young People;

- Healthy and Inclusive Communities;

- Supporting a Sustainable and Better Connected Future;

- Building and Embedding Partnership and Collaboration.

An overview of the draft programme is available at www.seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS.  I encourage all interested stakeholders to visit to learn more.

During October 2021, the draft programme was approved by Government and also by the Northern Ireland Executive and by the North South Ministerial Council.  The draft PEACE PLUS programme is now in the process of submission to the European Commission for its review and final approval.  It is expected that this will allow for launch of PEACE PLUS and the first Calls for Applications during the first half of 2022.  Calls for Applications for the various programme investment areas will continue into 2023-24. Project activity under PEACE PLUS will continue up to a closure date in 2029.

In order to facilitate early programme mobilisation, SEUPB has already commenced pre-development support.  For example, a workshop for potential applicants under Theme 3.2 PEACE PLUS Youth Programme was held on 10 December 2021.