253. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schedule and-or breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from EU sources in 2018 and 2019; and the programmes the funding supported. [3194/20]

The Managing Authorities for the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Adjustment Globalisation Fund (EGF) are located within my Department.  There were no EGF receipts during 2018 or 2019.

The ESF co-financed Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning for the period 2014-2020  has an overall allocation of €1.157 billion, comprising ESF and Exchequer contributions of €544.516m each and an EU Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) budget contribution of €68.145m. The specific YEI allocation of €68m is matched by equal amounts from our ESF allocation and from the Exchequer, giving an overall allocation of €204m. The Programme funds a range of activities implemented by a range of bodies.  All ESF/YEI activities are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the EU (ESF/YEI) funding being claimed in arrears.  The ESF/YEI receipts in a given year are those paid on foot of payment applications made to the Commission along with any pre-financing due and any amounts due following the acceptance of the annual accounts in accordance with the EU Regulations.  At the end of 2017 there was a balance of €0.6m in the ESF PEIL Suspense Account.  The ESF/YEI receipts and their distribution in 2018 and 2019 are set out in the following table.

Note: differences can arise due to rounding.  Key: YR – Youthreach; BTEI - Back to Education Initiative; AL - Adult Literacy; ETBTU - ETB Training for the Unemployed (Bridging; Traineeship and Specific Skills Training); DFESS - Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme GYDP - Garda Youth Diversion Projects; YPP - Young Person Probation Projects; TN - Tús Nua;  TA – Technical Assistance

My Department also receives EU receipts for EU education projects which include compensatory payments for administrative expenses incurred in providing for the Centre for European Schooling, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath; activities under Ireland’s participation in the European Commission’s Eurydice information network and the Eurostudent VI project 2016-18.  These receipts amounted to €0.407m in 2018 and €0.36m in 2019.