Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
221. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the potential role that the ERDF could play in financing offshore renewable energy port infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20075/23]
View answerCohesion policy is the European Union strategy to promote and support the overall harmonious development of Member States and regions by strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion, through measures aimed at reducing disparities in the level of development between regions. The European Regional Development Programmes (ERDF) form part of those measures.
In the development of the two 2021-2027 ERDF programmes, there was extensive engagement with the Northern Western Regional Assembly, and the Southern Regional Assembly, who were appointed as the Managing Authorities of the 2021-2027 ERDF Programmes by my predecessor. The Programmes have undergone nearly three years of planning and development, taking into account the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, a Needs Analysis, public consultation, and are now finalised, and were formally adopted by the Commission on the 18th of November 2022.
While the ERDF 2021-2027 Programmes do not provide for financing offshore renewable energy port infrastructure projects, as they would not fit with the objectives of the Programmes provided for by the Regulations, it will further the aim of balanced regional development in the Programme areas, by focusing on the following key strategic outcomes, which were arrived at based on the analyses and consultative processes conducted:
1. Developing Smarter More Competitive Regions by building RD&I capacity within the public research institutions in our regions, by accelerating the translation of cutting-edge research into commercial applications at a regional level.
2. Creating Greener More Energy Efficient Regions and a Just Transition by focusing on scaling up investment in actions that improve the energy efficiency of residential homes while targeting homeowners in, or at risk of, energy poverty.
3. Supporting Sustainable Urban Development in our Regions by taking an integrated strategic approach to the regeneration of our towns using a Town Centres First Framework.
