The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education and Skills and the three Regional Assemblies are launching a consultation process to inform the selection of priorities for the use of EU cohesion funding in Ireland for the period 2021-2027. Specifically we are seeking views to inform the development of:
1. A Partnership Agreement covering the relevant Common Provisions Regulation Funds; and
2. Operational Programmes for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
Interested parties are invited to submit their views by way of response to the survey on this website. The survey will be open from 13th of July until the 4th of September.
Parties also had an opportunity to express their views at a webinar and online workshops on Tuesday, 28th July. You can view video clips and download the presentations from the Webinar here.
We welcome responses from all parties, regardless of whether you have been involved with the Funds in question before.
If you have any queries in relation to the consultation please contact: consultation@nwra.ie
Cohesion policy is the EU’s strategy to promote and support the ‘overall harmonious development’ of its Member States and regions. It is an important tool to stimulate economic growth, promote social cohesion and to reduce disparities between the regions of the EU. It is a concrete demonstration of European solidarity, ensuring the benefits of increased economic activity are more equally shared.
The framework for cohesion policy in the 2021-2027 period is set out in the draft Common Provisions Regulation (CPR). Ireland will have access to the following funds covered by the CPR:
Each Member State is required to prepare a Partnership Agreement outlining the strategic funding priorities for the period, and Operational Programmes detailing how they will implement the Funds.
This consultation will cover the overall Partnership Agreement for 2021-2027 and the Operational Programmes for ERDF and ESF+. Separate consultation processes will be held in relation to the detailed planning of the EMFF, AMIF and the JTF.
The design and drafting of the Partnership Agreement and Operational Programmes will take place over the coming months, taking into account the findings of this consultation.
The proposed date of commencement of the new Programmes is the 1st of January 2021.
