Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP - The present economic and financial crisis has proven the relevance and value of the European Social Fund

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday evening, Pat the Cope Gallagher said "In total since 1973 Ireland has received approximately €18 billion in EU Structural and Cohesion Funding. Cohesion policy in the past has played a significant role in the development and the revitalisation of the Irish economy. In particular, the European Social Fund has a vital role to play in tackling the unemployment situation in Ireland and across Europe."

"Since joining the European Union in 1973, Ireland has received over €7 billion in financial support under the European Social Fund. These monies have primarily been used to help combat youth and long-term unemployment. Under the EU Human Resources Operational Programme for Ireland for the period 2007 until 2013, the European Union is providing €375 million to Ireland under the European Social Fund. The overall budget of this programme is €1.36 billion."

"These monies are being used to provide training courses for those who are unemployed, for people with disabilities, for early school leavers and for the marginalised in our society."

"We live in an age of globalisation. To respond to the challenges and opportunities which globalisation creates for the Irish workforce, the European Social Fund in Ireland is also supporting lifelong training courses which can be adapted to the realities of a globalised jobs market. The present economic and financial crisis has proven the relevance and value of the European Social Fund."

ENDS

20th of April 2010