Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, is urging the Northern Ireland Executive to make resources available to local councils and the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) to help process applications ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn statement.
The Leader of the Opposition said:
"European funding applications are notoriously complex and elongated, some taking 36 weeks or more to complete. Given Philip Hammond is only guaranteeing UK funding for EU projects that are agreed by the time of his Autumn statement, local project organisers are simply running out of time and their projects are in danger of falling.
"The Executive must release civil servants with the relevant experience and expertise to help process these applications on time.
"Local Councils also need additional short-term help. I understand up to 80 million euro of PEACE IV is to be delivered by local government. Our 11 Councils need assistance to ensure the maximum number of bids meet the Chancellor's deadline.
"This is an urgent, time-limited activity with clear, positive outcomes for our people. If the DUP and Sinn Féin are really committed to a fresh start, delivering outcomes-based cross-cutting government, here is an ideal opportunity to show they mean business."