1. The Portuguese authorities have indeed submitted a reprogramming proposal regarding programmes financed under the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund. The modifications requested are mostly to allow for an overall increase in the EU co-financing rate and to adapt the programmes' structure and focus taking into account the current financial and economic crisis.

The proposal is currently the subject of discussion between the national authorities and the Commission services and as such is subject to modifications before the final version is approved by the Commission. This is expected to occur before the end of 2011.

2. The Commission cannot confirm whether the modifications take into account any specific provisions of a national law. The Commission suggests the Honourable Member inquire with the national authorities on this particular issue.

Eng° José Soeiro
President of Instituto Financeiro de Desenvolvimento Regional — IFDR, I.P.
Rua de S. Julião, 63
1149-030 Lisboa

Eng. Rosa Maria Simões
President of the European Social Fund Management Institute
(Instituto de Gestão do Fundo Social Europeu)
Rua Castilho, n°5, 7°-8°
1250-066 Lisboa

Managing Authority for the Programme ‘Intervir+ 2007-2013’
Dr Sílvio Costa
President of Instituto de Desenvolvimento Regional, IDR-RAM
Travessa do Cabido, 16
9000-715 Funchal