§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be introduced under the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation to promote(a) employment, (b) urban and rural regeneration, (c) cross-border developments, (d) social inclusion and (e) industrial development and productive investment. [29612]
§ Sir John WheelerThe guidelines for the European Union's initiative for peace and reconciliation allow for an extensive range of measures under the five priorities of social inclusion, employment, urban and rural regeneration, cross-border developments and industrial development/productive investment. The programme submitted makes provision for such actions. However, as the details are still the subject of negotiation between the296W relevant member states and the European Commission, it is premature to give a definitive list of the measures which will be funded.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place for monitoring the operation of the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation. [29613]
§ Sir John WheelerA programme under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative has recently been submitted to the European Commission and is presently being negotiated. Monitoring arrangements consistent with stipulations in the guidelines will be put in place following agreement on the programme between the relevant member states and the European Commission.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what body or organisation will be charged with the task of dispensing the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation; how applications will be assessed; and if there will be a right of appeal for unsuccessful applicants. [29614]
§ Sir John WheelerThe draft programme under the peace and reconciliation initiative which has been submitted to the European Commission envisages that a range of organisations will be used to dispense the available funds. The details of these arrangements are currently being discussed with the Commission and will be publicised when the programme is agreed. Applications for assistance from the initiative will be assessed against criteria to be published in the programme. Decisions on grant applications to EU programmes are normally considered to be final, but unsuccessful applicants will be given an explanation for refusal and may wish to amend and resubmit their proposals accordingly.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the specific funding programmes which will be supported by the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation. [29699]
§ Sir John WheelerThe guidelines for the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative stipulate that the following priorities might be funded—employment, social inclusion, cross-border developments, urban and rural regeneration and industrial development/productive investment. The specific funding programmes will reflect these priorities.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when applications will be invited for programmes supported by the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation; how these programmes will be advertised; how long each funding programme will remain open for applications; and what support will be made available to advise and support applicants through the application procedures. [29615]
§ Sir John WheelerApplications will be invited for projects under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative as soon as the programme is agreed between the member states concerned and the European Commission. Appropriate steps will be taken by the member states, the European Commission and, if necessary, other funding bodies under the programme to 297W publicise the measures to be funded. The length of time allowed under individual measures for applications to be received will be a matter for specific funding bodies but may depend, inter alia, on the resources available and the demand for particular measures. The programme envisages that technical assistance will be made available to assist with the implementation of the programme; the exact details are being negotiated between the member states concerned and the European Union.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the application process for individuals and organisations wishing to apply to the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation, including details of application forms, closing dates for individual programmes and addresses of the appropriate department or dispensing body. [29698]
§ Sir John WheelerThe programme under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative is currently being negotiated between the member states concerned and the European Commission. The details of the application process can be settled only when all the management arrangements have been agreed. The application procedure will be fully publicised when the programme is agreed.