Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of the most recent discussions his officials have had with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to funding for cross-Border projects post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/19]
View answer80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with his British counterpart in relation to the funding of cross-Border projects post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/19]
View answer83. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has held discussions with the European Commission in relation to the possible allocation of additional funding for the Border region in view of the particular challenges that will arise in that area following Brexit and the need to improve infrastructure to assist existing businesses in remaining competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10342/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 80 and 83 together.
Ireland and the UK are currently partners in two EU-funded cross-border Cooperation Programmes – PEACE and INTERREG – with a total value of €550 million over the period 2014-2020.
These programmes are 85% funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund under the European Union's Cohesion Policy.
The two programmes are important drivers of regional development in a cross-border context. Through EU-funded cooperation, a range of organisations, North and South, have engaged in and benefited from a variety of cross-border and cross-community projects.
The Irish Government has been clear and consistent about its commitment to the successful implementation of the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes and to a successor programme post-2020, and my officials and I have been working to ensure that this important source of funding for the border region continues post-Brexit.
As far back as December 2017 both the EU and UK undertook to honour their commitments to the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes and to examine favourably the possibilities for future programmes.
I was pleased, therefore, that last May the European Commission responded to the Irish Government’s support for a future programme with a proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme that will build on and continue the work of PEACE and INTERREG.
I welcome the inclusion in the draft Withdrawal Agreement of a commitment by both parties to the completion of the current programmes and to a future programme post-2020, a commitment that is carried through to the draft Political Declaration setting out the Framework for the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK.
I also welcome the Commission's more recent proposal for a Regulation that will enable the current programmes to continue even in the event of no-deal.
