Helen Keogh
Ceist:21 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the effect, if any, the drop of £800 million in Structural Funds will have on women.
Written Answers. - Structural Funds.
The Community Support Framework currently under discussion with the European Commission will set out, inter alia, the development objectives, the priorities adopted for Community assistance and the indicative financing plan. Following adoption of the Community Support Framework, the operational programmes are approved. These set out in more detail the objectives and measures for each of the main sectors. The programmes are the legal basis for the commitment of EU aid.
In drawing up Structural Funds Programmes the relevant Departments and agencies will ensure that measures and programmes comply with the principle that there is not direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of gender and will actively promote equal opportunities for both genders.
The Community Support Framework and operational programmes will be based on the allocation of EU aid now agreed for Ireland. As Deputies are aware the Government's position is that the consequential reduction in expenditure should be pro rata across the different Programme areas. This reduction will be gender neutral in its effect