From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
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Partnership Agreement sets out Ireland’s €2.4bn Cohesion Policy investment strategy
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, has today Thursday, 14th July 2022 secured Government approval for Ireland’s draft Partnership Agreement for the period 2021 – 2027. The Partnership Agreement lays out Ireland’s investment strategy for more than €1.1 billion in cohesion funding, supporting Irish regions in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in line with key EU priorities.
The Partnership Agreement covers 3 cohesion policy funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) the Just Transition Fund (JTF); as well as the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). With national match funding, the full value of the programmes supported by these allocations amount to almost €2.4 billion. In addition, smaller amounts of funding are available for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF).
On foot of approval by the Government, the draft Partnership Agreement will now be formally submitted to the EU Commission for its review and final negotiations. Commission approval and adoption of the Partnership Agreement is anticipated in the autumn.
Commenting on the agreement of the Partnership Agreement, Minister McGrath said:
“The approval of the Partnership Agreement by Government is a key milestone in securing programmes of almost €2.4 billion for Ireland. I look forward to finalising negotiations with the European Commission on the Partnership Agreement over the coming months. The programmes under the Partnership Agreement will contribute to the country's competitive, innovative and sustainable growth locally, regionally and nationally.
"Ireland has a very strong record in using its Cohesion Funding effectively. Cohesion Policy is an important economic tool, to improve administrative capacity, to address disparities between regions, to stimulate research and innovation, to improve connectivity, and to enrich the lives of our European citizens, by addressing social inequalities. These programmes will make a real difference to people's lives. The Cohesion Policy Funds will be used in all areas of the country to support a range of initiatives to ensure that Ireland is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities arising from a green and digital Europe”.
Notes for Editor
EU Cohesion Funding
Cohesion policy is the European Union's strategy to promote and support the ‘overall harmonious development’ of its Member States and regions by strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion through measures aimed at reducing disparities in the level of development between regions.
The Common Provisions Regulation (Regulation 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions) govern 8 EU Funds:
2. European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
3. European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMAFF) European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMAFF)
4. Just Transition Fund (JTF) Just Transition Fund (JTF)
5. Cohesion Fund Cohesion Fund
6. Asylum and Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Asylum and Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
7. the Internal Security Fund Internal Security Fund (ISF)
8. the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).
As Ireland is not part of Schengen, the BMVI instrument does not apply.
Partnership Agreement
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility as ‘Member State’ for developing a Partnership Agreement (PA). The PA is the overarching strategic document, which lays out the strategy and investment priorities to be addressed via the Cohesion policy funds (ERDF, JTF and the ESF+), and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). It also sets out information in relation to the HOME funds (Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF) and Internal Security Fund (ISF). Under the Common Provisions Regulations, which are the common rules covering the funds, no Operational Programme for individual Funds can be submitted until the Partnership Agreement is submitted to the Commission.
The approval of the Partnership Agreement is a requirement to access the Cohesion Policy Funding for the programmes covered by the Partnership Agreement. Ireland will receive a total of €1.1 billion (in current prices) in Cohesion Policy Funds and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for the 2021– 2027 period, comprising:
€396 million for the European Regional Development Fund;
€508 million for the European Social Fund+;
€84.5 million under the EU Just Transition Fund; and
€142 million for the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
When the requirement for match funding is included the full value of the programmes supported by these allocations amounts to almost €2.4 billion. In addition, smaller amounts of funding are available for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF).
Within Ireland the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform has overall responsibility for EU Cohesion Policy and primary responsibility for the ERDF.
The Minister for Further Higher Education Research, Innovation, and Science has primary responsibility for the ESF+. The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine has responsibility for the EMFAF and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications is responsible for the JTF. The Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for the AMIF and the Minister of Justice and Equality is responsible for the Internal Security Fund (ISF).
Each Department is developing their own programmes, which set out the investment strategies in more detail.
These programmes will be submitted to the Commission separately.
ENDS