The Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade jointly coordinate Ireland's overarching positions on the proposed EU Multiannual Framework 2028-2034 (MFF). The Government’s key priorities for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) include but are not limited to a strong Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy; continued support for the PEACE PLUS programme in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland; funding for competitiveness and excellent research; sustained support for Ukraine; continued development and humanitarian assistance; and a revenue system that is fair, equitable, simple and transparent, primarily based on Gross National Income.
European investment is also important to ensure social fairness and to protect EU values. Dedicated funding for social programmes can address child poverty, improve employment outcomes for disabled people, address skills shortages in the care sector, including in the early years sector, and promote labour market activation for disadvantaged groups. Continued support for the Union of Skills agenda is also required to deliver on the EU competitiveness agenda.
Negotiations on budgetary allocations are expected to intensify as the year progresses, including under Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026. As Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker and lead negotiations in a manner that protects the interests of the EU.
Ireland, coordinated and led by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, has been closely engaged to-date in the negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034, which would serve as a successor to the current Creative Europe (C.E) and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) funding programmes.
This Department, working closely with officials in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, has led coordination on the aspects of AgoraEU which relates to new CERV+ funding programme. The intended purpose of the CERV+ programme, as supported by the Council, is to promote and protect EU values. If adopted, the CERV+ components of AgoraEU would include objectives to promote democratic participation, equality, gender equality, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the rights of the child.
At its most recent meeting on 12 May 2026, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council agreed a partial general approach (PGA) on the proposed Regulation. This PGA will be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
It is important to note that the PGA agreed at EYCS Council excludes detail on the overall funding level for the programme, as the final allocation of funding must be agreed as part of the wider EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework negotiations. The level of funding under the next EU budget cycle is therefore a matter for the Minister of Finance.
