Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
139. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding allocated to the border, midlands and western region through EU structural funds; his views on the importance of ensuring continued adequate support for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9143/13]
View answerOn 8 February 2013 the European Council reached agreement on the EU’s budget for 2014-2020. The budget has now to be agreed with the European Parliament. In line with reductions to the overall EU budget, Cohesion funding across Europe is expected to be reduced from €347 billion to around €325 billion. Nevertheless, while the precise details remain to be worked out, it is expected that Ireland’s overall Structural Funds allocation will actually increase from the €901 billion we receive under the current round. This represents a considerable achievement and is due to the consistent efforts of the Government to maximize support from Europe for our Structural Funds programmes. In the case of the Border, Midlands and Western Region however, is likely that the allocation it receives will be reduced. This is because the region will no longer qualify as a transition region since its GDP per capita exceeds 90% of the EU average. Nevertheless, the Government was successful in securing a special allocation of €100 million for the BMW Region to mitigate the effects of its change in status and in recognition of the significant economic downturn that the region has experienced. The European Council also agreed a special Youth Employment Initiative using €6 billion of Structural Funds for regions with levels of youth unemployment above 25%, from which it is expected the BMW Region will benefit. The focus on youth unemployment is something the Irish Government had been pressing for.
