26 Sep 2013, 16:36
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this afternoon hosted a detailed discussion on EU funding specifically targeted at Northern Ireland and the border counties from 2014 to 2020.
26 September 2013
In the intense negotiations around the EU’s long term budget to 2020, €150m in funding has been earmarked for the next round of PEACE funding. Subsequently, the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive committed an extra €50m.
Briefing the Committee was Pat Colgan, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, the North South body established under the Good Friday Agreement.
Chairman of the Committee Joe McHugh TD says: “Over the past 15 years, thousands of grassroots projects have been supported to foster peace and reconciliation. Committee Members praised the tremendous practical contribution to community life in Northern Ireland and the border region.
“The Committee was told of the intense preparation underway for the 2014 to 2020 funding period. We heard that, in a consultation process with stakeholders conducted last year, there was a particular focus on young people living in disadvantaged communities. In frequent Committee trips to Northern Ireland and the border region, we are acutely aware that education and employment opportunities often elude many young people in Northern Ireland and the border region. As such, a focus on funding to assist in informal and formal education is to be welcomed. Some concerns were expressed by the Committee that such funding should be additional to mainstream departmental funding, and not be used as a substitute.”
“Another theme emerging from the consultation process was that of the development of shared spaces. EU funding has been instrumental in the regeneration of blighted areas, transforming them into spaces that are welcoming for all members of the community. Such funding has physically transformed many urban, rural and border areas and the Committee is encouraged that the next round of PEACE funding will prioritise such funding. The possibility of expanding the focus of the funding beyond Northern Ireland and the border region, to projects around Ireland, was also explored.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White