€614 million EU programme tops trio launched by Robinson
Northern Ireland is to benefit from three new European Regional Development Fund Programmes which will continue until 2013.
Finance Minister, the Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA joined with the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, in Belfast this afternoon for the official launch.
The largest of the initiatives is the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme worth €614m. Mr Robinson said that the three schemes fully complement the aim of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society with a growing dynamic and innovative economy.
The Minister said:
“The Sustainable Competitiveness Programme reflects the EU’s Lisbon agenda for jobs and growth which is exactly what we want for our own economy. Most of the Programme’s resources are devoted to innovation in line with the priority which the Executive gave to this area in the budget through the creation of the Innovation Fund.”
Mr Robinson and Commissioner Hübner were also joined by the Republic of Ireland Finance Minister and Tánaiste, Brian Cowen T.D. to launch the two North/South programmes PEACE III (€333m) and the INTERREG IVA Northern Ireland/Ireland/Scotland programme (€256m). The launch coincided with the opening of the first call for victims funding under PEACE III.
Mr Robinson welcomed the new PEACE Programme:
“The PEACE III Programme is different from PEACE II and has been developed and strengthened through the challenges we have had to overcome in delivering this funding in the past. It is vital that PEACE funding attracts the participation of both sides of the community.
“I am particularly pleased that PEACE III is being launched today at the same time as the first call opens for projects relevant to the needs of victims and survivors who remain a key target group of the Programme.
“Our INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme is the only one of our Programmes to have increased its budget for this programming period. INTERREG will continue to support and encourage natural and practical cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic. I welcome the new dimension added by the inclusion of Scotland for the first time and the opportunity this provides for cooperation on an East West basis.”
Mr Robinson said that today’s announcements take place in the context of new searches for EU funding sources:
“Commissioner Hübner’s activities today are symbolic of the fact that we must make the most of the Structural Funds which have been made available to us while also taking advantage of the wider initiatives within the European Union.
“My department has been exploring the potential of other EU funding opportunities. However, accessing these funds depends on our willingness to participate and make quality applications and I would encourage all eligible organisations to consider how they can benefit across the full range of EU programmes.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The launch took place in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
- Danuta Hübner is the European Commissioner for Regional Policy. Her Directorate General has responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund which supports the three Northern Ireland programmes being launched today. She was also appointed by the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, to take forward the Commission’s Task Force for Northern Ireland.
- Further details on the ERDF Programmes can be found via DFP’s European Funding Website
- Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
