Ireland – Southern and Eastern Programme

MEMO/07/577

Brussels, 14 December 2007

1."Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013" - Programme under the "Regional Competitiveness and Employment" objective co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]

2.Overview

The European Commission approved on 16 October 2007 a regional development programme for the Southern and Eastern Region of Ireland for the period 2007-2013 entitled the "Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013". This programme involves Community support for the Southern and Eastern Region of Ireland within the framework of the "Regional Competitiveness and Employment" objective. The total budget is € 367 million and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to €146.6 million. This represents almost 20% of Structural Funds allocations to Ireland under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective.

3.The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The overall objective of the operational programme is to contribute to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the Region, to support sustainable development and to help improve quality of life through investment in the development of innovation and the knowledge economy, supporting the protection of the environment, sustainable development and the take-up of broadband and supporting city regeneration and town renewal.

The Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2000-2006 has allocated over 4.1 billion € in funding to the region up to 31 December 2006. Investments have primarily been undertaken in local infrastructure projects, local enterprise development, agriculture and the provision of childcare facilities. The new programme 2007-2013 aims to build upon this success and will address new challenges in the Southern and Eastern Region.

4.Expected impact

The programme is expected to lead to the creation of 7,700 jobs in micro-enterprises. It aims inter alia to provide management support and mentoring to 84,000 people in micro-enterprises, to provide 560 research posts in the Higher Education Institutes and to support 4,000 micro-enterprises directly. 150 additional posts will also be provided in Incubation Centres. The programme will introduce six energy schemes and broadband will be provided to over 23,000 businesses in the Southern and Eastern Region.

5.Priorities

The programme will be implemented through three main priorities plus a Technical Assistance priority:

Priority 1: Innovation and the Knowledge Economy

Lisbon Agenda objectives: develop further the knowledge, R&D, innovation and entrepreneurial base of the Region's economy and to support collaboration and technology transfer between research institutions and the business sector in order to boost the Region's growth and competitiveness.

Priority 2: Environment and Accessibility

Invest in renewable energy production and energy conservation and to increase broadband take-up throughout the region in order to contribute to the competitiveness of the Region.

Priority 3: Sustainable Urban Development

Enhance the attractiveness of the designated Gateways and Hubs as drivers of regional economic growth. A central aim will be to support and complement efforts to ensure that the cities and towns maximise their potential in increasing their contribution to dynamic entrepreneurship, innovation and in reducing social disparities.

Priority axis 4: Technical Assistance

Support for programme management and implementation, including technical support, communications and publicity, financial control activities, research and evaluation actions.

6.Managing Authority: Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly

Mr Stephen Blair

Director

Assembly House

O'Connell Street

Waterford

IE- Co. Waterford

Tel: +353.51.860700

Fax: +353.51.879887

E-mail: SBlair@seregassembly.ie Web:

http://www.seregassembly.ie

7.Title: "Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013"

Intervention type: Operational Programme

CCI No.: 2007IE162PO002

No. of decision: C(2007)5169

Final approval date: 16/10/2007

8.Financial Table

Breakdown of finances by priority