Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has had engagement with relevant stakeholders, including those who benefit from cohesion policy programmes, or EU counterparts, regarding proposals within the ReArm Europe package to allow cohesion policy programmes and funding to be used for defence purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12132/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, I have responsibility for Ireland's Cohesion Policy and the Partnership Agreement with the European Commission on Ireland's Cohesion Policy Funds.

The Partnership Agreement Monitoring Committee (PAMC) which brings together the key stakeholders involved in the administration of EU Cohesion Funds in Ireland - including the three Regional Assemblies - met on 4th March to review implementation of Ireland’s Cohesion Policy funds in the period since April 2024 and in the context of the European Commission’s Mid-Term Review of Cohesion Policy Funds.

My Department chairs the PAMC and the EU Commission is represented in an advisory capacity. The Committee heard that Ireland’s Cohesion Policy programmes are being implemented effectively and we do not anticipate any significant absorption challenge or need to direct funds to other priorities at this time.

On 6th March I met with Executive Vice President of the European Commission with responsibility for Cohesion and Reforms regarding the ongoing Mid-Term Review of the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programmes. Executive Vice President Fitto noted at that meeting that as part of the Mid-Term Review process that he was meeting with relevant Ministers in each Member State and that he intended to advance proposals which, if adopted, would amend the Cohesion Policy regulations to provide for greater flexibility in fund allocation and direction of funds to a range of different priorities than are currently included.

President von der Leyen wrote to leaders of the EU Member States on 4th March noting, amongst other matters, that the Mid-Term Review of Cohesion Policy programmes, which is currently underway, was an opportunity for more flexible use of funds and direction of funds to different priorities.

President von der Leyen's letter was followed by a special European Council meeting on 6th March, attended by the Taoiseach. That Council conclusions included the following:

"The European Council recalls that all military support as well as security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States."

The European Council will meet again on 20th March and my officials will be examining the details of any proposals relating to Cohesion Policy funds as they emerge.