EN EN EN COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 7.4.2008 SEC(2008) 447 COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT on the Report of the Northern Ireland Task Force {COM(2008)186 final} EN EN TABLE OF CONTENTS Part One: A socio-economic profile of Northern Ireland in the EU.................................... 5 Chapter 1: Economy................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2: Demography ........................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Territorial characteristics and infrastructure .......................................................... 14 Chapter 4: Comparing northern ireland to five similar regions ............................................... 19 Part Two: Northern Ireland achievements in the framework of EU policies (2000-2006)- Suggestions and recommendations......................................................................... 22 Chapter 1: Agriculture and rural development......................................................................... 23 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 23 II. Agriculture and agricultural policy in Northern Ireland, 2000-2006......................... 24 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 26 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 30 V. For further information .............................................................................................. 34 Annex ....................................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 2: Education &Training.............................................................................................. 37 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 37 II. Northern Ireland's achievements in period 2000-2006 .............................................. 38 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 40 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 41 V. For further information .............................................................................................. 43 Annex ....................................................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 3. Employment and Social Policy............................................................................... 50 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 50 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under EU interventions, 2000-2006 ...................... 51 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 54 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 55 V. For further information .............................................................................................. 57 Annex ....................................................................................................................................... 58 Chapter 4: Enterprise................................................................................................................ 62 EN 2 EN I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 62 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under the EU interventions 2000-2006 ............. 6623 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 66 IV. Suggestions and recommendations:........................................................................... 66 V. For further information .............................................................................................. 68 Chapter 5: Environment ........................................................................................................... 69 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 69 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under the EU interventions 2000-2006 ................. 69 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 73 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 74 V. For further information .............................................................................................. 75 Chapter 6: Fisheries.................................................................................................................. 76 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 76 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under the EU interventions 2000-2006 ................. 77 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 79 IV. Suggestions and recommendations:........................................................................... 80 V. Further information .................................................................................................... 81 Annex: ...................................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter 7: Regional development ............................................................................................ 83 I. EU policy and perspectives for 2007-2013................................................................ 83 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under the EU interventions 2000-2006 ................. 83 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 88 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 90 V. Further information .................................................................................................... 92 Annex ....................................................................................................................................... 93 Chapter 8: Research ................................................................................................................. 95 I. EU policy and perspectives........................................................................................ 95 II. Northern Ireland's achievements under EU RDT policy, 2000-2006 ........................ 96 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................... 98 IV. Suggestions and recommendations............................................................................ 99 EN 3 EN V. For further information ............................................................................................ 100 Annex ..................................................................................................................................... 101 Chapter 9: Transport and Energy ........................................................................................... 102 I. EU policy and perspectives...................................................................................... 102 II. Northern Ireland's achievements in period 2000-2006 ............................................ 105 III. Northern Ireland's priorities for 2007-2013 ............................................................. 109 IV. Suggestions and recommendations.......................................................................... 112 V. For further information ............................................................................................ 113 Annex ..................................................................................................................................... 115 Chapter 10: The European Investment Bank ......................................................................... 116 Annex ..................................................................................................................................... 118 EN 4 EN PART ONE: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF NORTHERN IRELAND IN THE EU EN 5 EN Tab. 1 – Northern Ireland performance in comparison with the UK, the Republic of Ireland, EU-15 and EU-27 Eire/ Northern EU27 ranking Indicator Unit Year EU27 EU15 UK Ireland Ireland (268/271 NUTS2)* GDP/head (PPS) Index, EU27 = 100 2005 100 112,7 119,3 143,7 97,0 139 GDP growth Average annual % change 1995-2004 2,3 2,3 2,9 7,6 3,0 91 Employment growth Average annual % change 1995-2004 0,8 1,3 1,4 4,3 2,1 36 GDP/person employed (€) Index, EU27 = 100 2004 100,0 117,0 123,0 159,4 115,4 103 Growth of GDP per person employed Annual average % change 1995-2004 1,5 1,1 1,8 3,2 1,6 125 Population growth Average annual % change 1995-2004 0,3 0,4 0,3 1,3 0,5 84 Population aged < 15 years % of total population 2004 16,3 16,3 18,2 20,9 21,6 8 Population 65+ / population Old-age dependency rate 15-64 (%) 2005 24,5 25,5 23,7 16,3 20,0 49 Natural population change pro mille (annual average) 2000-2003