Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25675/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform has responsibility for Ireland's Cohesion policy and the remit for Council of the European Union Meetings relating to Cohesion policy.

Cohesion policy is the European Union's strategy set out in Article 174 of the Treaty to promote and support the ‘overall harmonious development’ of its Member States and regions by strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion through measures aimed at reducing disparities in the level of development between regions. The Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) and a series of fund specific regulations (including one for the European Regional Development Fund) provide the regulatory basis for the period of the current Multiannual Financial Framework(MFF), 2021-2027.

For the 2021-2027 period the overall MFF totals €1,134, 583 million. Slightly less than a third of the sum (€330,642 million) has been ring-fenced under a sub-ceiling ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’ – i.e. Cohesion Policy.

Ireland will receive a total of €1,282.5 million in Cohesion Policy Funds for the 2021– 2027 period, comprising of:

• €396 million for the European Regional Development Fund;
• €508 million for the European Social Fund+;
• €294 million for European Territorial Cooperation (including PEACE PLUS); and
• €84.5 million under the EU Just Transition Fund.