Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing the proposal to establish a successor programme to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €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.
The implementation of the PEACEPLUS programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and is progressing well. As of 30 April 2026, PEACEPLUS is currently 93.87% (€1bn) committed to projects, with a further €84.9m currently ringfenced for future calls for applications. 121 larger projects are being funded under the main programme, with a further 65 smaller projects of up to €100,000 approved for funding under the Changemakers Fund which supports people-to-people projects that strengthen cross-community and cross-border relationships.
On 6 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.
My officials will continue to engage with the European Commission and the UK Government on the successor programme.
In parallel, the SEUPB will begin work on developing programme content later this year, 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.
