Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“During the Nolan TV EU referendum debate in presenting the “facts” the BBC Business Editor claimed that the total EU contribution to Northern Ireland in 2015/16 was £374m.
“I knew from an Assembly Answer the information was incorrect and significantly exaggerated the actual contribution. I contacted the Business correspondent, but to no avail.
“AQW 36/16-21 clearly established the total of agricultural and structural funding at £321m, but the BBC insisted this excluded PEACE funding. Now a further answer from the Finance minister confirms they are wrong and that both PEACE and Interr funding are included in the structural fund figure of £55m, which sent to make up the £321m total.
“Why did the BBC mislead the viewing public, particularly since the false information informed their false conclusion that Northern Ireland is not a net contributor to the EU?
“Now, what are they going to do about it before the polls open? I await their actions with interest.”
Below is set out the two relevant Qs & As. Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance , pursuant to AQW 36/16-21, for a breakdown of the structural funds figure. Answer:
The breakdown of Structural Funds receipts is shown in the following table:
| Programme and Fund | Receipts |
| 2007-2013 Programmes | |
| Competitiveness and Employment Programme ERDF | £10,631,775.91 |
| Competitiveness and Employment Programme ESF | £15,814,172.99 |
| PEACE III Programme ERDF | £11,984,254.01 |
| INTERREG IVA Programme ERDF | £4,232,329.27 |
| 2014-2020 Programmes | |
| Investment for Growth and Jobs ERDF advances | £6,589,006.09 |
| Investment for Growth and Jobs ESF advances | £5,903,073.98 |
| Total Structural Funds Receipts in 2015-2016 | £55,154,612.25 |
Question: To ask the Minister of Finance what was the total of (i) EU agricultural funding; and (ii) EU Structural Funds receipts in 2015/16.
Answer:
Totals are shown in the following table:
| Fund | Receipts 2015/2016 |
| Agricultural Funds Total | £266,565,000.001 |
| Structural Funds Total | £55,154,612.25 |
1 This figure may be subject to change as the 2015-16 accounts are subject to ongoing audit. The accounts are due to be certified and laid in the Assembly at the beginning of July.