Martin Ferris
Question:198 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if it will be possible to restructure the PEACE fund in order that the benefits accrue to local Border communities rather than to individual businesses. [6188/03]
Written Answers - Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.
Like all other operational programmes under the national development plan, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region 2000-2004 will be subject to a mid-term review in the latter part of 2003. Consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers have been appointed by the special EU programmes body, the managing authority for the programme, to conduct the evaluation. A steering committee drawn from the programme's monitoring committee will oversee the evaluation process. The conclusions of the review will establish if any modifications are required to be made to the programme in order that it attains its objectives.
Of the €141 million to be spent in the Border region under the programme, something less than €20 million can be said to be allocated to promoting enterprise or training, including the promotion of cross-Border business opportunities. The remainder of the programme is strongly focused on social inclusion type measures, community promoted activities and development, and local regeneration.