Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed a new update on the roll-out of the €1.1 billion 2021-27 PEACE PLUS programme from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath.
Following a Dáil question on the programme, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “The PEACE PLUS programme will be of particular importance to the border counties and Northern Ireland.
“The scale of the support which PEACE PLUS will provide for shared peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is especially timely as we look to recover from the COVID pandemic and as we continue to adapt to the challenges of Brexit and also, very sadly, the serious difficulties now facing, not just our country, but the global economy arising from the brutal and reprehensible invasion of Ukraine by Russia.”
The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “I would also like to thank Minister McGrath for his work in progressing the programme development for PEACE PLUS.”
In response to Deputy Smith’s question, Minister McGrath stated: “The delivery of the new programme will be overseen by a Programme Monitoring Committee, a governance structure which is required by EU Regulations. The Programme Monitoring Committee will include northern and southern representatives from both central and local government, business, trade unions, the community and voluntary sector as well as environmental, rural, equality, youth and health sector organisations. Officials from my Department, as well as from the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, will serve as Member State representatives on the Programme Monitoring Committee.”
He added: “PEACE PLUS will be implemented via individual projects, which will be awarded funding on foot of thematic Calls for Application issued by the SEUPB. The selection of projects will be the responsibility of a Steering Committee, appointed by the Programme Monitoring Committee. The Steering Committee will include representatives of the programme Member States as well as of relevant sectoral Departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
ENDS
24/03/2022