James Leonard
Question:13 Mr. Leonard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when funding from the Delors package will be available; and the agency which will administer this funding. [12586/95]
Written Answers. - Delors Package Funding.
The European Commission on 26 July, approved a joint Operational Programme submitted by the Irish and British Governments for the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Ireland, (PEACE Programme).
Total EU funding available to the PEACE Programme over the three years 1995 — 1997 is 300 million ECU (approx £240 million). This will be subject to review at the end of that period. Depending on the success of the Programme, further funding, taking the Programme up to the end of 1999, could be provided.
The National Authorities responsible for the implementation of the Operational Programme are the Department of Finance in Dublin and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Belfast. In the Border counties of the Republic, the delivery mechanisms will ensure the fullest local involvement. Accordingly, in addition to central Government and its agencies, delivery of some 50 per cent of the measures under the Programme will be implemented through the use of intermediary bodies, funded by means of global grants. They will also assist in the overall co-ordination of the Programme. In this jurisdiction, it is proposed that the intermediary bodies of the Employment, Urban and Rural Regeneration, Cross-Border Development (Reconciliation), Social Inclusion and Productive Investment sub-programmes will be Area Development Management Ltd. (ADM) and the Combat Poverty Agency.
In respect of the cross-Border development sub-programme, it is proposed that Co-operation North in association with IBEC/CBI (NI) will be the intermediary body for the Business and Cultural Linkages measure.
It is the firm intention of the two Governments and the Commission that funding will reach groups on the ground in Northern Ireland and the Border counties at the earliest possible opportunity.
Interested groups should now submit applications for funding under the various measures covered by the Programme.