Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
462. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the SEUPB will operate post-Brexit; if it will continue to be jointly chaired by him and the Northern Ireland Finance Minister; if changes are to be made in its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is one of six North South Implementation Bodies established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement in order to facilitate North South cooperation.
The SEUPB is headquartered in Belfast, with satellite offices in Omagh and Monaghan, and is co-sponsored by my Department and by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. SEUPB's primary responsibility is the management and implementation of cross-border North South EU funding programmes.
At present the SEUPB is responsible for the delivery of two 2014-20 EU cross-border programmes, INTERREG VA and PEACE IV, which have a combined value of €553 million. The two programmes cover an eligible area of Northern Ireland, the border counties of Ireland (i.e. Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth and Monaghan) and (in the case of INTERREG VA only) Western Scotland. INTERREG VA supports the development of economic and social cohesion with total funding of €283m, while the PEACE IV programme continues to foster peace and reconciliation across the eligible area with total funding of €269m. As of 30 September 2020 INTERREG VA is 103.2% committed in support of 34 projects, while PEACE IV is 103.1% committed in support of 96 projects. The Withdrawal Agreement ratified between the EU and the UK in January 2020 provides for the full completion of these programmes post-Brexit.
In addition to this work, the SEUPB is now leading the development of the 2021-27 PEACE PLUS EU cross-border programme. This special new programme was included in the European Commission’s May 2018 proposals for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and EU Cohesion Policy for the 2021-27 period. PEACE PLUS will combine the existing INTERREG and PEACE strands into one cohesive new programme in support of ongoing North South cooperation. Provision for the new programme is included in the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK, as well as in the Political Declaration.
In this context, SEUPB will continue to carry out its current functions post Brexit, and will continue to be jointly sponsored by me and by the Minister for Finance.
