Departmental Programmes

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Questions (65)

Brendan Smith

Question:

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing a proposal to have a successor to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

As the Deputy will be aware, the €1.1 billion PEACEPLUS cross-border co-operation programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is an important European Union Cohesion Policy programme. PEACEPLUS continues the work of the previous EU North South PEACE and INTERREG programmes which began in the 1990s. I have joint responsibility for the PEACEPLUS programme along with the Minister for Finance Northern Ireland.

In March 2025, the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister issued a Joint Statement outlining their shared commitment to the successful delivery of the 2021-2027 PEACEPLUS programme and their agreement in principle to a successor programme.

In July 2025, the European Commission included legislative provision for a successor to the PEACEPLUS programme in its draft Multi-annual Financial Framework proposals for 2028-34. In June 2026, following extensive work by officials from my Department, and officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who are engaged in the negotiation of the 2028-2034 Multi-Annual Financial Framework, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council made provision for a special allocation for a successor PEACEPLUS programme as part of it's MFF proposals.

Arising from provision for a new programme in the MFF proposals, my officials have intensified engagement with the European Commission and the UK Government and will be progressing negotiation of a Financing Agreement for a successor programme.

In parallel, the SEUPB has begun work on developing programme content, working closely with my Department and the Department of Finance NI. This work will be supported by a cross-border programme development steering group and will be informed by comprehensive public and stakeholder engagement and research.