I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 33, 127 and 128 together.
I can assure the Deputy that I share his appreciation for the contribution that EU-funded cross-border programmes make to the border region and the importance of ensuring continued funding for the programmes. I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss this matter with him and other colleagues when I appeared before the All Party Committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in February.
Ireland takes part in two cross-border programmes with Northern Ireland, namely the PEACE Programme and the INTERREG Programme, the latter which also involves Western Scotland. The programmes have a combined value of €550 million over the period 2014-2020.
As part of my Department's contingency planning for Brexit the risks to these cross-border programmes, which are 85% funded by the EU, were identified. The Irish Government has been clear about its commitment to the successful implementation of the current programmes and to successor programmes post-2020.
Last October the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance, Máirtín Ó Muilleor, and I were able to announce that, following intensive discussions with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, agreement had been reached on a safeguard clause that has enabled Letters of Offer to issue to programme beneficiaries for both the PEACE and INTERREG programmes.
Now that that short term objective has been achieved, the medium term objective is to ensure the full and successful implementation of the programmes out to 2020, during a period in which the UK is expected to leave the EU and the UK allocation of ERDF funding may no longer be available. The long term objective is to secure agreement to successor programmes post-2020.
In that context I raised the impact of Brexit on the two programmes at last month’s meeting of the General Affairs Council devoted to Cohesion Policy in Luxembourg. While in Luxembourg I also took the opportunity to have bilateral meeting with Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu where I impressed upon her the enormous contribution that EU funding has made, not only to the process of peace building and reconciliation but also to the economic and social development of the region, as well as the vital importance of continuing this funding.
My officials and I are continuing to work to ensure the successful implementation of the current programme as well as successor programmes post 2020.