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From:Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D. in his role as the minister responsible for Cohesion policy, will today (15 September) chair the Informal Ministerial General Affairs Council (GAC) - Cohesion in Dublin Castle.

Minister Chambers will welcome Ministers, senior European officials and representatives from across the European Union, with discussions focused on the future role of cohesion policy.

Cohesion funding is designed to reduce economic, social, and territorial disparities across member states.

It represents more than one third of the total current 2021-2027 EU Budget amounting to EUR 392 billion - making it one of the largest components of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Discussions are expected to focus on how cohesion policy can continue to serve as a driver of long-term competitiveness while maintaining its core mission of reducing disparities between regions.

Ministers will also consider the role of cohesion policy in supporting social cohesion through investments in employment, skills, education, reskilling, social inclusion and workforce development.

Minister Chambers will say that cohesion policy remains one of the European Union's most visible and effective expressions of solidarity, supporting economic, social and territorial cohesion while promoting sustainable growth, innovation and regional development.

He will say Ireland has visibly benefitted through Cohesion funding including PEACE PLUS which has supported hundreds of local, regional, and cross-border initiatives supporting peace, reconciliation, and economic regeneration on the island of Ireland.

The meeting will also be attended byExecutive Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto.

Delegates will also hear fromPresident of the European Court of Auditors, Tony Murphy, who will presented reflections on the proposed evolution of cohesion policy towards a more strategic, flexible and performance-focused delivery model.