Ó An Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Seachadta ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, agus Athchóirithe
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The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, opened Ireland’s Future of EU Cohesion Policy Conference in the Hibernian Conference Centre, today Thursday 26 September.
Cohesion Policy constitutes the main investment policy of the EU, and is due to account for around a third of its budget, or €392 billion over the period of 2021-2027. The Policy is designed to contribute to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union. It aims to correct imbalances between countries and regions. It delivers on the Union's political priorities, especially the green and digital transition.
The event brought stakeholders from across Ireland together to reflect and debate on a number of themes key to the future allocation of funds under Cohesion Policy. The conference is the second phase of a wider process, which is being facilitated by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in advance of negotiations on the post-2027 Cohesion Policy Legislative Package expected to be presented in mid-2025. This conference follows an online public consultation launched by Minister Donohoe in January 2024. The combined results will contribute directly to Ireland’s position on this key EU policy, post 2027.
Commenting at the Conference, Minister Donohoe said:
“Our membership of the EU and access to Cohesion Policy funds have played a pivotal role in Ireland’s social and economic transformation over more than five decades.
"As we prepare for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, it is clear that we will face many challenges, including the green and digital transition, climate change, demographic changes and globalisation.
"However, as we look to the post 2027 period we must ensure that Cohesion Policy holds to its core objectives and long-term nature. It must continue to deliver regional, place-based solutions, implemented through multilevel governance and supported by capacity building measures with the rule of law at its core. I firmly believe that Cohesion Policy, when deployed alongside national policies can act as a remedy to these challenges.”
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:
As Ireland is not part of Schengen, the BMVI instrument does not apply.
Ireland will receive a total of €1.4 billion in Cohesion Policy Funds, 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
Additionally, €293 million is allocated to European cross-border co-operation programmes for joint development in the Northern Periphery and Atlantic areas and with Northwest Europe and the PEACE Plus cooperation programme across the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
When the requirement for match funding is included the full value of the programmes supported by these allocations amounts to almost €3.5 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, NDP Delivery and 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).
ENDS