EU Programmes receive green light to commence work – Ó Muilleoir

Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has today hosted a stakeholder event on EU programmes at the Greenmount Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) at which he confirmed the imminent issue of Letters of Offer for EU Funding awards.

The event included an audience of key stakeholders, including the business, voluntary and community, and statutory sectors, with an interest in the implementation of PEACE IV and INTERREG VA. 

Speaking at the event, the Minister said: “Since the referendum result Executive ministers have fought to ensure that not a penny of European funding is lost in this region. I have argued our case at government, regional and EU level to make sure our unique status European funds continue to flow to groups on the ground.

 “The British Chancellor has announced that the Treasury will guarantee to underwrite all letters of offer made between now and when negotiations with the EU are complete. It is now vitally important that we get these letters of offer issued to successful applicants and bring an end to recent uncertainty on the ground for the communities who are relying on this funding.”

Commenting on the current position regarding the status of letters of offer the minister said: “Next week the SEUPB has confirmed offers of €120 million (circa. £110 million)‎ will start to issue to 17 successful applicants for the recent round of INTERREG VA funding.  In the coming weeks we will also see decisions made and letters of offer issued for the PEACE IV Programme in vital areas, such as  Victims and Survivors and Shared Education with calls for applications opening for Children and Young People and Developing Shared Spaces and Services.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.

2. The INTERREG VA Programme has a value of €283 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders.The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to support peace and reconciliation and promote social and economic stability. For more information on the both programmes and the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu

3. For media enquires please contact the DoF Press Office on 028 9081 6724 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

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