Menu
28/06/2011
Dodds Calls For Further Peace Fund Payments
European Minister Diane Dodds has called for a continuation of Northern Ireland's peace fund during a special hearing in Brussels into special EU programmes.
The Peace III Programme, worth some €333 million to Northern Ireland and the border counties, is due to end in 2013.
However, on Tuesday morning, the DUP Member of the European Parliament Ms Dodds called for a continuation of the fund past its deadline, saying that many problems "still remain".
Ms Dodds said the problems were highlighted by a rise in dissident republican activity, and that communities were still finding it difficult to "peacefully live beside eachother".
"In these communities there remains a high level of generational unemployment, low educational attainment and poor health.
"Therefore, I believe that any future peace funding and any extension to the peace funding past 2013 must be inclusive of our young people through access to training and employment, allowing them to become stakeholders in our future," Ms Dodds said.
However, the minister said she also believed there should be a revision of those who currently have "preferential access" to peace funding, such as ex-prisoner groups.
"We need to ask ourselves at what point do people stop being an ex-prisoner and once again become a citizen.
"Northern Ireland is a better place than it was 20 years ago and peace funding has contributed to that progress. It has been far from perfect but this funding contributed greatly to communities who have experienced significant difficulties due to the violent events of the last 30 years."
The Peace III programme is managed by the Special EU Programming Body, which set a number of named priorities, such as reconciling communities, contributing to a shared society and funding the Northern Ireland Task Force.
The fund was also designed to cover a diversity of areas including transnational and cross-border cooperation, networking, energy efficiency and dealing with climate change, the creation and maintenance of employment opportunities and developing skills, investment in research, and support for enterprises.
During a meeting at the end of last year with First Minister and Deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso said the European Union had supported Northern Ireland with more than £2.5bn over the last 20 years.
"We have seen good progress. I want to see more. Today, I have asked the Task Force to go back to Belfast early in the New Year to give a new momentum to our joint work. It is time to renew and reinvigorate our collective effort."
However, despite Mr Barroso's indications that a Peace III fund could be on the table, Europe's budget is currently squeezed, with the UK Government calling for a freeze on members' contribution to the EU.
Ongoing problems with the Greek economy are also causing intense uncertainty as the country assess whether it requires either another multi-billion bailout or prepares to jeopardise the European Union's existence by defaulting on its debts.
Either outcome would pose a serious threat to the provision on an extended peace fund.
(DW/KMcA)
The Peace III Programme, worth some €333 million to Northern Ireland and the border counties, is due to end in 2013.
However, on Tuesday morning, the DUP Member of the European Parliament Ms Dodds called for a continuation of the fund past its deadline, saying that many problems "still remain".
Ms Dodds said the problems were highlighted by a rise in dissident republican activity, and that communities were still finding it difficult to "peacefully live beside eachother".
"In these communities there remains a high level of generational unemployment, low educational attainment and poor health.
"Therefore, I believe that any future peace funding and any extension to the peace funding past 2013 must be inclusive of our young people through access to training and employment, allowing them to become stakeholders in our future," Ms Dodds said.
However, the minister said she also believed there should be a revision of those who currently have "preferential access" to peace funding, such as ex-prisoner groups.
"We need to ask ourselves at what point do people stop being an ex-prisoner and once again become a citizen.
"Northern Ireland is a better place than it was 20 years ago and peace funding has contributed to that progress. It has been far from perfect but this funding contributed greatly to communities who have experienced significant difficulties due to the violent events of the last 30 years."
The Peace III programme is managed by the Special EU Programming Body, which set a number of named priorities, such as reconciling communities, contributing to a shared society and funding the Northern Ireland Task Force.
The fund was also designed to cover a diversity of areas including transnational and cross-border cooperation, networking, energy efficiency and dealing with climate change, the creation and maintenance of employment opportunities and developing skills, investment in research, and support for enterprises.
During a meeting at the end of last year with First Minister and Deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso said the European Union had supported Northern Ireland with more than £2.5bn over the last 20 years.
"We have seen good progress. I want to see more. Today, I have asked the Task Force to go back to Belfast early in the New Year to give a new momentum to our joint work. It is time to renew and reinvigorate our collective effort."
However, despite Mr Barroso's indications that a Peace III fund could be on the table, Europe's budget is currently squeezed, with the UK Government calling for a freeze on members' contribution to the EU.
Ongoing problems with the Greek economy are also causing intense uncertainty as the country assess whether it requires either another multi-billion bailout or prepares to jeopardise the European Union's existence by defaulting on its debts.
Either outcome would pose a serious threat to the provision on an extended peace fund.
(DW/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
28 October 2003
Peace partnership fund to strengthen European links
Details of a funding package worth some £1.2 million to help Northern Ireland build links with other parts of Europe were announced today. The ‘Partnership for Progress’ project, which will be run by social partnership group Concordia, is being funded under Measure 4.1 of the European Union’s Peace and Reconciliation Programme.
Peace partnership fund to strengthen European links
Details of a funding package worth some £1.2 million to help Northern Ireland build links with other parts of Europe were announced today. The ‘Partnership for Progress’ project, which will be run by social partnership group Concordia, is being funded under Measure 4.1 of the European Union’s Peace and Reconciliation Programme.
16 October 2007
EU-Cash Aims To Boost NI Labour Market
A package of projects aimed at helping people into sustainable employment prospects has been highlighted at the NI Assembly, with a view to addressing the needs of those most disadvantaged in the labour market.
EU-Cash Aims To Boost NI Labour Market
A package of projects aimed at helping people into sustainable employment prospects has been highlighted at the NI Assembly, with a view to addressing the needs of those most disadvantaged in the labour market.
12 January 2009
Peace People Return To Belfast
A veteran of many 'peace' rallies in the 1970s - Mairead Corrigan Maguire - one of the original anti-NI Troubles 'Peace People', has addressed a large Belfast crowd to condemn the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. She was speaking at the weekend when the City Hall demonstration was held against the Israeli attack on the Gaza area.
Peace People Return To Belfast
A veteran of many 'peace' rallies in the 1970s - Mairead Corrigan Maguire - one of the original anti-NI Troubles 'Peace People', has addressed a large Belfast crowd to condemn the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. She was speaking at the weekend when the City Hall demonstration was held against the Israeli attack on the Gaza area.
31 January 2002
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
