Last gasp calls to maintain BMW EU funding levels

Last gasp calls have been made for Ireland's Border, Midland and Western (BMW) region not to have almost half of its funding under EU structural funds taken away. The 13 county region, which includes Westmeath, could lose just under 44 per cent of its EU support - totalling just over €199m - for the 2014-2020 period if arguments for the region to be given a special provision allocation are unsuccessful. A final decision on the allocation of funds is to be taken by EU leaders when they meet next week to agree a multi-annual financial framework for the six year period. Speaking today (Tuesday) following a meeting in Brussels with BMW regional assembly director Gerry Finn, MEP for Ireland North and West Marian Harkin said without strong lobbying from the Irish government there is a real possibility that the BMW region could lose out. The reason behind the threatened reduction is a 2011 reclassification that described the BMW region as a more developed region under EU cohesion funding plans for the 2014 to 2020 budget, Ms Harkin explained. "This classification used the reference period 2007-2009 to determine that the region's GDP is above 90 per cent of the EU average. However, there are robust statistics which indicate that the actual 2009 figure is below 90 per cent and is moreover likely to decline in the period to 2012," she said. "In other words, the current classification ignores the unfortunate - but nonetheless realistic - picture, wherein the BMW has experienced a severe economic downturn, with increasing unemployment and a raft of new challenges." Ms Harkin said Ireland must now push for a special provision of some €345m for the area, a call that's echoed by North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher. Mr Gallagher said the criteria used to decide allocation amounts for the 2014 to 2020 period are both "outdated" and "flawed", as the reference years used pre-date the economic crisis and rising unemployment levels in the area. "EU structural funds are vitally important in terms of stimulating economic growth and job creation and such funding is now needed more than ever before," Mr Gallagher said, adding that unemployment rates in the region are some 20 per cent below EU growth targets. He added that a precedent does exist at EU level whereby regions in transition can benefit from special allocation provisions. "I strongly believe that the BMW region is entitled to such assistance as a peripheral region most affected by the current crisis," he said, urging the government in the context of the Irish Presidency of the EU to seek an allocation as recommended by the BMW regional assembly of up to €345m. Meanwhile Ms Harkin said Portugal, Cyprus, Malta and Greece all made the case that the purpose of cohesion funding is to target regions that most require specific aids in development and the BMW region "more than fulfils" the same criteria. "Achieving such a 'special allocation' for the BMW region is logical, appropriate and absolutely necessary if the EU is genuine in its conviction that cohesion funding should reduce regional disparities in terms of income, wealth and opportunities," she concluded.