MEPs call for EU budget funds to target poor regions

IRISH MEPs appealed to the Government to divert more funds to the poorer regions of the country yesterday after the parliament signed off on the union’s biggest budget.

A total of €308 billion will be divided between 27 states over the next six years, with over half of it going to the poorer new member countries.

In Ireland it will be worth an average of €1,500 per person and be equal to a 7% increase in domestic public sector spending.

Another 22% of the budget will go to the poorer regions of the old member states including Germany, France and Italy.

Ireland’s share will be €815m which is meagre compared to the €4bn it received over the last budget period of 2000 to 2006. Since joining in 1973 the country received over €18bn.

But for the first time the country does not qualify for funds designed to close the wealth gap between communities in the union since it is rated the second wealthiest, having 40% more GDP than the average.

Ireland only qualified for funding under the previous budget because the income in the Border Midland and Western region brought down the average overall.

Despite this, only 14% of the money went to this region when, according to MEP Marian Harkin, based on population it should have got about 28%.

“The wealth gap has grown between the two Irelands and it will widen further without the Government taking serious steps to redress the situation,” the Ireland West MEP said.

She urged the Government to plough much of the €815m into the region together with extra funds under the National Development Plan.

Ms Harkin said under the agreement reached between the parliament and the member states on the EU’s budget, national governments will have to consult and take on board the views of civil society including local groups and NGOs when deciding how to spend funds.

The money will also have to be used to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Northern Ireland MEP Bairbre de Brun welcomed the money available for cross-Border activities under the new budget.