Call to end €120million log-jam
Addressing the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this week, I spoke about the need to safeguard the €1.6billion European funding earmarked for programmes here and in the border regions.
I am on record as saying that the statement made by the British Chancellor around EU funds falls far short of what’s needed, particularly in relation to the PEACE and INTERREG Cross Border programmes and leaves €1.1billion, due to be issued post-November, at risk.
However, my concern is equally for the €500million earmarked for release pre-Autumn statement. What we have from the Chancellor is a commitment that project approvals contracted in advance of the Autumn Statement, now confirmed as 23 November, will be underwritten by the Treasury.
In that regard, the Executive, my department, the Special EU Programmes Body and the INTERREG panels have all stepped up to expedite those funding applications to ensure that money is released to the peacemakers, the bridge builders, the entrepreneurs and the job creators on the ground. However, in spite of these monumental efforts, we have €120million of letters of offer for cross-border, transformative job, environmental and health projects log-jammed in the system.
Notwithstanding the uncertainties and challenges surrounding the EU Referendum, I have respectfully suggested that the Irish Government, the British Government and the EU Commission should commit to working together to ensure the timely release of this €120million. For our part, we can do no more. |