Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 1

Written Answers. - Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

Brendan Smith

Question:

35 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the new Programme for Peace and Reconciliation; the funding to be allocated in respect of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5229/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The Government approved the Border counties element of the draft PEACE programme, the successor to the special programme for peace and reconciliation, at its meeting of 4 February. The draft programme was the culmination of a widespread consultation process in Northern Ireland and the Border counties, including a major conference held in Monaghan on 30 September last. The Government approval covered the five priority objectives agreed with Northern Ireland, indicative funding provision for each of the priorities and the proposed delivery mechanisms through which it is intended that the new programme will be implemented.

The five priority objectives agreed with Northern Ireland are: economic renewal, social integration inclusion and reconciliation, locally-based regeneration and development strategies, outward and forward looking region and crossBorder co-operation. The programme provides for EU funding to Northern Ireland and the Border counties of 500 million euro over the five year period 2000 to 2004 based on similar proportions, 80:20, as the first peace programme. The pro vision for 15% of funding to be reserved for cross-Border actions will be maintained.

A table setting out the indicative funding breakdown and the implementing mechanisms proposed follows.

It is expected that the Northern Ireland section of the programme will be finalised shortly and the complete draft will then be sent to the European Commission. I am confident that all concerned will ensure that the negotiation process will be completed expeditiously in view of the importance attached to this area.

Indicative Allocations

Priority	Theme	MeuroEU element only	Proposed Delivery Mechanisms
1	Economic Renewal	13	ADM/CPA1
2	Social integration, inclusion andReconciliation	22	ADM/CPA (1)
3	Locally based regeneration anddevelopment strategies	20	County council led task forces (2)
4	Outward and forward looking region	7.5	Special EU programmes body, otherbodies to be decided (3)
5	Cross-Border co-operation	37.5 (4)	Government Departments, public sectorbodies, representative organisations,voluntary and community organisations.

Notes on Table

(1) Actions under Priority 1 and 2 will be delivered and co-ordinated by the Area Development Management Limited and the Combat Poverty Agency, ADM-CPA, working with county enterprise boards and other locally based structures.

(2) Actions under Priority 3 will be delivered and co-ordinated by county council led task forces working with ADM-CPA and other locally based structures.

(3) This Priority consists, in the main, of funding for technical assistance in support of the programme. Decisions in relation to the delivery of other aspects of the priority have yet to be made. The Special EU Programmes Body will have a leading role in delivery all aspects of the priority.

(4) The programme requires that 15% of total funding be reserved for cross-Border co-operation, of which half must be provided by each administration.