asked the Minister for Local Government the grant his Department received from the EEC in respect of a new sewer which was constructed in Tralee, County Kerry, this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tralee Sewer.
7.
As indicated in the statement which was issued by the Government Information Services on 17th October on behalf of the Minister for Finance, regional development fund support has been committed on a global rather than a project by project basis. Commitment figures for individual projects have not, therefore, been specified. The global assistance committed following the approval of 48 infrastructural projects, including the project referred to in the Deputy's question, amounts to £2,543,424. Fund assistance in respect of all projects will be paid to the Exchequer and will be used by the Government to increase the amount which would otherwise be available to finance investments contributing to regional development.
Could the Minister tell me how much of the grant was made available for this particular project?
As I told Deputy McEllistrim, we have got a global figure. It does not appear to be fully understood, though I am sure the Deputy understands it, that unless the State is spending a considerable sum of money on these projects the EEC Fund does not apply. Some people seem to think that this means topping up State funds but the opposite is the case.