Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Structural Funds?
The Structural Funds were created to help those regions, within Europe, whose development is
lagging behind, in order to reduce the differences between regions and create a better economic and
social balance within and between Member States. Two individual funds are collectively known as the
E.U. Structural Funds. These funds are:
E.R.D.F.
The European Regional Development Fund. It's principal objective is to promote economic and social
cohesion within the European Union through the reduction of imbalances between regions or social
groups.
E.S.F.
The European Social Fund is the E.U.'s financial instrument for investing in people. Its mission
is to help prevent and combat unemployment, to equip Europe's workforce to face new challenges, and
to keep people in touch with the labour market.
These two funds work together to support economic and social development across Europe.
Who decides what activities receive E.U. Structural Funds?
To draw down E.U. Structural Funds each Member State must draw up and submit to the European
Commission a plan setting out its investment priorities for E.U. Structural Funds. This plan, in
Ireland's case the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013, forms the basis of negotiations
between the Member State Government and the European Commission on the allocations of E.U. funding.
The NSRF document includes an outline of priorities for action, objectives and targets, anticipates
financial resources, and monitoring, evaluation and control systems.
Who was involved in drafting the National Strategic Reference Framework?
An intensive consultation process, involving Government Departments, the Social partners
(representatives of trade unions, employers, and the community and voluntary sector), Regional &
Local Authorities, and the Western Development Commission, informed the formulation of the National
Strategic Reference Framework. An ex-ante evaluation of the investment priorities for the National
Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 was undertaken by the ESRI, in addition to the two studies undertaken
on investment priorities in each of the two regions, Border Midland and Western and Southern and
Eastern. The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for the implementation of the National
Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013.
How much E.U. Structural Funds have been allocated to the N.S.R.F.?
Ireland has been allocated €750 million for the period 2007-2013. This funding will be delivered
as part of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013. An additional €151 million has been
allocated for the Territorial Co-operation Programme e.g. Peace.
What are the B.M.W. and S&E Regions?
A key objective of the E.U. Structural Funds is to ensure balanced regional development both
within regions and between regions. As part of an agreement between Ireland and the European
Commission, for the purpose of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013 the county
is divided into two regions. This division recognises the economic and social development needs of the
regions and allocates specific funding to each region.
The Border, Midland and Western (B.M.W.) Region - Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Laois, Leitrim, Longford,
Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath.
Southern & Eastern Region (S&E) - Limerick, Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny,
Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow.
Two Regional Assemblies were established in 1999. Their role is to manage and monitor progress of
the two Regional Operational Programmes.
What areas of activity are funded by the Structural Funds?
The National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013 is divided into a number of different
Operational Programmes (O.P.) The Structural Funds are contributing to investment under each O.P..
| Areas of Activity Funded: |
| Human Capital Investment O.P. |
€375 million |
| Border, Midland & Western Region |
€229 million |
| Southern & Eastern Region |
€146 million |
How much money has Ireland received from the Structural Funds since joining the E.U.?
To the end of 2008 Ireland has received approximately €17 billion in Structural & Cohesion Funds
support since joining the E.U. in 1973.