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Public Expenditure & Reform Minister Brendan Howlin and European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton have welcomed the European Council agreement on the new Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF).

Minister Howlin said:

The Irish experience of Cohesion policy has been very positive and Structural and Cohesion funds have played an important role in the development of Ireland’s economy over then years. While the precise details in relation to Ireland’s allocation have still to be worked out, I am pleased that the funding level will increase over that for the current period. 

Against the background of an overall cut in the EU Budget, this is a considerable achievement and is due to the consistent efforts of the Government to maximize support from Europe for our Structural Funds programmes. 

Cohesion Policy is a key driver of the growth and jobs agenda which is the focus of our Presidency.  It is the one of the primary instruments available to the Union to drive investment and to promote growth and jobs across Europe in the years ahead.

The hard work that the Taoiseach and I have undertaken in articulating and advocating a special provision for the BMW region due to the significant economic downturn it has experienced has been rewarded with a special provision of €100m for the region.

The Minister welcomed the announcement of a Youth Employment Initiative and said he expected that Ireland, whose two regions have youth unemployment rates in excess of the 25% threshold set down by the Council, will benefit from it.  

The Minister said he was particularly pleased with the special provision of €150 million that will see the PEACE Programme for Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland continue:

I believe we should have a new programme because I believe in the values of the programme and the contribution it has made to supporting reconciliation, to the creation of a shared society, and to addressing the legacy of the troubles.  Significant challenges remain, however, and addressing them is important for the longer term viability of the peace process. 

Speaking at the conclusion of the the European Council meeting in Brussels, Minister Creighton said the new budget supported jobs and growth, while reflecting economic realties.

This has been a long process. Since July 2011 I have been working with other Europe ministers on these negotiations. The deal reached today is one focused on the EU’s economic future while maintaining solidarity with less developed Member States, boosting their potential for growth, employment and competitiveness.

The Minister continued:

The Taoiseach skillfully defended our interests, while successfully working with President Van Rompuy to ensure an agreement that took account of and balanced the interests of all Member States. I look forward to taking forward negotiations with the European Parliament and to a successful outcome there in due course. The Irish Presidency will be good and fair partners in that process.

Read the full press release here.