AQW 11033/17-22 Written question to the Minister for the Economy

To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of whether, following further announcements on the functioning of the Shared Prosperity Fund, enough financial support will be available to maintain projects currently funded via the European Social Fund.

Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 26 November 2020

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
26 November 2020
Answer due by
11 December 2020
Answered
14 December 202018 days after tabling
Department
Department for the Economy
Priority question
No

Answer

Under the terms of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the 66 Priority 1 & 2 projects and the Priority 3 Apprenticeships NI programme currently funded via the NI European Social Fund (ESF) Programme 2014-20 will continue to be funded until concluded in March 2022 and December 2023 respectively.

There is insufficient detail in the Shared Prosperity Fund announcements to inform potential future impact. I continue to liaise with the Minister for Finance who leads on the negotiations on the functioning and quantum of replacement funding.

Official sources