Cross-Border Funding.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Questions (278)

Seymour Crawford

Question:

291 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Finance if further steps have been taken to support the Castle Sanderson’s scouting project; his views on the fact that this is one of the few projects that is of a truly cross-Border nature, which brings together the youth of all 32 counties and is therefore vital towards the work of the peace process in the future; if he will reconsider the possibility of this project being dealt with at a more realistic level starting with the building of the necessary accommodation; if he will ensure that all possible avenues of support are taken as there is great interest in this from both the US and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26489/06]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

Responsibility for funding youth projects of this nature falls to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism under that Department's Sports Capital Programme and the Youth Services Grant Scheme operated by the Department of Education and Science.

The position regarding the PEACE II programme, over which my Department has an overseeing role, is that the relevant measure, 2.2 Developing Children and Young People, is now closed. However, the Government is very aware of the valuable role that PEACE II and its predecessor, PEACE I, have played in building peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region. Therefore, due to efforts of the Irish and the British Governments, the agreement at European Council of 16 December last on the Financial Perspectives for 2007 -2013 included a provision for a successor to these programmes — PEACE III.

The European Union will provide €200m towards the PEACE III programme. The Special EU Programmes Body, as managing authority, are currently drafting the Operational Programme. I expect PEACE III will be accepting new applications for funding in early 2007.