Brendan Smith
Question:279. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the PEACE IV Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36562/13]
View answerThursday, 18 July 2013
Questions (279)
Written answers
Preparation work for the PEACE IV (2014-2020) Programme is progressing well.
The planning process has been under way since April 2012, when my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland requested the Special EU Programmes Body to commence preparation of detailed programme proposals for both PEACE IV and the successor INTERREG Programme, INTERREG VA. The development work is being overseen by a Programme Development Steering Group which is chaired by SEUPB and has members representing Government Departments, local Government, trade union, business, rural, community and voluntary sectors.
An extensive public consultation process, including a number of well-attended consultation events, was conducted in late 2012. Ex-ante evaluations and equality and environment assessments are underway and a mid-term evaluation of the PEACE III Programme is currently being finalised, all of which will be used to inform the development of the new Programme.
It is anticipated that the draft Operational Programmes for PEACE IV and INTERREG VA will be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Scottish Government (INTERREG only) later this year. Formal submission to the EU Commission will take place following the agreement of the three Governments.
The total funding for the Programme will be decided as part of the Programme planning process. A special ERDF allocation for PEACE IV of €150m has been provided in the EU cohesion package. I also welcome the inclusion of an additional €50m UK funding for PEACE IV which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced in the context of the Building a Prosperous and United Community pact signed in Downing Street on 14 June.
The EU-funded PEACE Programmes have made an important contribution to supporting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Irish border region and I am glad that support for this valuable work will continue in the 2014-2020 period.
Questions Nos. 280 and 281 answered with Question No. 273.