Msc. Economic Policy Studies, EC8011, 2 December 2011 Kate O’Reilly Student No. 10263809

1. Mid-Term Evaluation of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational ProgrammeCentral Expenditure Evaluation Unit Department of Finance - Nov 2010 Msc. Economic Policy Studies, EC8011, 2 December 2011 Kate O’Reilly Student No. 10263809 Maria Murray Student No 10260626

2. Introduction • Evaluation question • Key Steps • Methodology used • Evaluation conclusions & recommendations • Overall opinion

3. Border, Midland and Western Region

4. What is the BMW regional OP • To ensure projects co-financed by the EU are properly implemented • Promotes regional policy and research initiatives.

5. Evaluation Objective • To improve quality effectiveness. • To provide an independent analysis of progress under the BMW regional OP. • To make appropriate recommendations for programme adjustments.

6. Overview These objectives are to be achieved by focusing and concentrating resources on three broad priority areas, as follows: • Priority 1 - Innovation, ICT and the Knowledge Economy; • Priority 2 - Environment and Risk Prevention; • Priority 3 - Urban Development and Secondary Transport Networks.

7. Key Steps • Review of External Developments • Continued relevance of programme objectives • Effectiveness progress to date • Programme management and efficiency • Indicators • Conclusions/Recommendations

8. Methodology • Data Gathering • WP A-Review of progress and constraints. • WP B- Assessment of reporting of Horizontal principles and indicators. • WP C- OP management and monitoring, indicators selection criteria. * desk and non-desk based research • WP D- Review of external developments *exclusively desk based.

9. Methodology • Analysis • WP E contribution to Lisbon and Gothenburg goals and N/S coop • WP F continued validity relevance, likelihood of meeting physical and financial obj. *draws on data gathered and reviewed • Reporting

10. Progress Reports Financial Progress • Priority 1 • 45% of the allocation spent • confident allocated expenditure will be used • Priority 2 • 25% of the allocation spent • Lowest percentage spend of the priorities • Potential to spend 80% of allocation, dependent on the Ocean Energy test project • Priority 3- • 90% of the allocation spent • Certain to achieve and exceed expenditure.

11. Progress Report Non-Financial Progress Contribution to North/South co-operation “…..to facilitate where possible greater co-operation between communities, institutions and enterprises on both parts of the island” Progress supported by – • Micro-Enterprise- Innovation and entrepreneurship-. • CEBs, Trade links; Peace II(EU) etc • PRTLI • 16 new all island projects, 5 of which are BMW related

12. Progress Report 3. Sustainable energy • Sustainable energy working group • Community projects – Newry & Dundalk • All island Annual Energy Awards 4. The gateway and hub fund • 3 regeneration projects (Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo & Louth) • 1 infrastructure project (Cavan Eastern Access route) • 1 arts & cultural project (Sligo)

13. Progress Report

14. Conclusions Performance Indicators • Too high level to capture the complexity of the given priorities • Sub-theme priorities require clearer explanation Horizontal Principles • high-level, the objective of the HP not captured • Lack of understanding of report expectations • Monitoring & Administration is positive

15. Recommendations Performance Indicators • PI should be expanded for Priority 2 in order to capture the complexity its objective Horizontal Principles • Clearer specification of Horizontal Principles • PI’s for HPs need to be developed

16. Recommendations Re-allocation of funding • Reduce allocation to Priority 2 by €15M (€75M to €60m) • Reduce Priority 4 (Technical assistance) by €0.5 (€4.5m to €4m) • Increase allocation to Priority 1 by €5m (€200m to €205m) • Increase allocation to Priority 3 by €10.5m ( €178m to €188.5)

17. Overall Opinion • Detailed evaluation • Balanced evaluation • Constructive evidence based suggestions.