Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
199. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has made funding applications for projects under the EU anti-fraud programme 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if so, the applications that were approved, in tabular form. [46472/23]
View answerArticle 325 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that fighting fraud and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the EU is a common task for both the EU and the Member States.
To support member states in the fight against fraud, the EU Anti-Fraud Programme provides funding in the form of grants and procurement, in particular for technical and operational investigation equipment, specialised training and research activities.
This Programme is open to public authorities, their agencies, research and educational institutes, non-profit-making entities and any legal entity created under EU law or any international organisation.
Eligible entities may apply for this funding on their own behalf.
In terms of my Department's role in protecting the financial interests of the EU, the EU Budget Unit of the Department of Finance was appointed, in December 2014, as Ireland's Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) in accordance with Article 12a of Regulation 883/2013 to facilitate effective cooperation and exchange of information, including information of an operational nature, with the EU Anti-Fraud Agency (OLAF).
It was decided that the Irish AFCOS would take on a high-level coordination role liaising closely with the other relevant Government Departments and agencies which have the relevant statutory responsibility, operational expertise and engagement in EU fraud matters.
In view of the nature of the EU Budget Unit's role as a coordinator on EU anti-fraud matters within the Irish system, the Department of Finance has not applied for grant funding under the EU anti-fraud programme, directly on behalf of the Department of Finance, in 2021, 2022 nor to date in 2023.
