Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2406. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the outcome of recent discussions his Department had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the European Commission on the funding of cross-Border projects post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPEACE IV is an EU funded cross-border programme which supports peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, promoting social and economic stability particularly through actions promoting cohesion between communities. The PEACE and INTERREG cross border programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), one of the North-South Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement.
My Department is an Accountable Department for PEACE IV and provides funding under three of the four objectives of the Programme, namely Shared Spaces and Services, Building Positive Relations, and Children and Young People. The Department works closely with the SEUPB and counterpart Departments in Northern Ireland in relation to calls for proposals and assessment of projects under these three objectives. An independent Steering Committee supported by the SEUPB as secretariat, constituted on a cross-border basis to reflect the principles of partnership, has delegated responsibility to select projects to be funded. The role of Accountable Department includes membership of the Steering Committee, which considers and approves all funding applications under the themes and objectives funded.
My colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, who has overall responsibility for both the PEACE and INTERREG programmes, has been clear about the Government’s commitment to the successful implementation of the current programmes and to successor arrangements post-2020.
The Government’s ambition is shared by both the EU and the UK. I am pleased, therefore, that in its recent proposals for the next Cohesion round the European Commission has proposed a special new PEACE PLUS programme to build on and continue the work of PEACE and INTERREG post-2020. I expect my Department to contribute strongly to the shape of any new programme as discussions progress.
