Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has called for a simplification of European Union rules to increase the uptake of EU funding at local and regional levels across Ireland.
Speaking during a European Parliament debate, Funchion highlighted the challenges faced by local authorities and regional bodies in accessing vital EU funding due to complex regulations and bureaucratic hurdles.
She emphasised the need to make the process more straightforward and flexible, which would help ensure that funding is more accessible to communities and projects in Ireland.
“I will be proposing amendments to reduce unnecessary barriers and introduce greater flexibility in how funding is allocated,” Funchion stated, stressing that such reforms would facilitate more efficient use of EU resources.
The MEP also underscored the importance of Ireland receiving its fair share of EU funding, calling for a more equitable distribution to ensure that all regions in Ireland benefit equally from European resources.
Her comments come as part of an ongoing effort to ensure that EU funding is used effectively and reaches those who need it most.
The proposals will be closely watched as they have the potential to bring significant changes to how funding is managed and distributed across the country.
