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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021

Wednesday, 14 July 2021

Questions (98)

Brendan Smith

Question:

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Peace Plus Programme; the level of funding to be provided for this programme; the financial contributions to the programme to be provided by the Government, the British Government and the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38454/21]

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Written answers

The PEACE PLUS programme is an ambitious new cross-border funding programme under the EU's Structural and Investment Funds. It is anticipated that the value of the programme will be in the region of €1 billion.

PEACE PLUS will combine the previous INTERREG and PEACE cross-border funding strands into a cohesive new programme across an eligible area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). There will also be scope for programme activity to extend outside this area.

The development of the draft PEACE PLUS programme has been led by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement, in close cooperation with my Department and with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. The SEUPB has been supported and advised by a cross-sectoral Programme Development Steering Group.

Development of the draft PEACE PLUS programme has been shaped by extensive consultation and research, including joint scoping work by government departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as two public consultations across the eligible area. On foot of this development work, the SEUPB has now finalised a draft PEACE PLUS programme with six thematic areas of activity:

1. Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities

2. Delivering Economic Regeneration and Transformation

3. Empowering and Investing in Young People

4. Health and Inclusive Communities

5. Supporting a Sustainable and Better Connected Future

6. Building and Embedding Partnership and Collaboration.

Detailed information on PEACE PLUS is available via the SEUPB’s website and I encourage all interested stakeholders to visit to learn more about this exciting new programme.

The January 2020 EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, as well as its accompanying Political Declaration, reflect the commitment of the EU, Ireland and the UK to PEACE PLUS. The respective financial contributions for PEACE PLUS are currently being finalised between the EU and the UK. Match funding will be provided by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Once funding arrangements are finalised and the, the draft PEACE PLUS co-operation programme will be bought to Government and to the Northern Ireland Executive for approval, before submission to the European Commission for its consideration and approval.

It is anticipated that the first funding awards under PEACE PLUS will be made during 2022.

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