E.U. Funding & Freedom of Information Act
EU Funding
Cohesion policy 2007-2013: Agreement
with Ireland on its national plan and
priorities for Cohesion policy 2007-2013
in our National Strategic Reference
Framework (NSRF), provides Irish authorities
with EU investment funding of € 750.7
million over seven years in line with the
Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs.
The Irish framework, sets out in broad
terms how Ireland will invest € 750.7
million over the next seven years to deliver
growth and jobs, to strengthen human
capital, and to ensure balanced and
harmonious development, including the
reduction of regional disparities
Ireland’s strategic thematic and territorial
priorities for 2007-2013, as set out in the
NSRF for the two Irish regions South & East and Border-Midlands-West, are
the following:
1. Promote investment in human capital
through upskilling the workforce, increasing
participation in the workforce and activating
groups outside the workforce. The
authorities will focus on women, people
with disabilities, lone parents, travellers
(the Roma community) and ex-offenders.
A special programme will target migrants,
as they make a very significant contribution
to the economy.
2. Support innovation, knowledge and
entrepreneurship in the regions. The objective
is to boost research and development
(R&D) in areas and institutions (Institutes
of Technology mainly) where this capacity
has been lacking in the past. The aim is to
double the number of PhD graduates during the programming period. Ireland
will also continue to develop Foreign
Direct Investment, one of the competitive
characteristics of the economy.
3. Strengthen the competitiveness,
attractiveness and connectivity of the National
Spatial Strategy defined by the government,
through improved access to quality
infrastructure and promoting environmental
and sustainable development. Gateways
and hubs will connect urban areas. There
will be a special focus on public transport
and innovative environmental solutions.
The broad priorities in the framework will
take shape through three operational
programmes: one for South and East
(supported by the European Regional
Development Fund-ERDF), one for
Border-Midlands-West (ERDF) and one for
developing human resources (European
Social Fund-ESF). Adoption of these is
expected before the end of 2007.
The Lisbon Agenda is an action and
development plan of reforms set at the
Lisbon European Council in March 2000.
The reforms are intended to implement
the EU’s strategic goal of becoming the
most competitive and dynamic knowledge based
economy in the world, capable of
sustainable economic growth, with more,
better jobs and greater social cohesion.
Progress is regularly reviewed at Spring
European Councils.
The Irish NSRF is available at:
http://www.ndp.ie/docs/NDP_
Hompage/1131.htm
Freedom of Information Act
Regulations extending the Freedom
of Information Act to the Institute of
Technology, Limerick were signed into law
on 22nd October 2001 and the Freedom of
Information (Amendment) Act 2003, was
signed into law on the 11th April 2003.
The implementation of the Act is the
start of a period of greater openness with
regard to decision-making and accessing
personal and general information held by
public bodies.
Any queries in relation to Freedom of
Information should be addressed to:
Helen Carney
Freedom of Information Office,
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel: 353- 61-208285
Fax: 353-61-208209
Email: foi@lit.ie or helen.carney@lit.ie
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