asked the Minister for Finance if a tripartite fund has been set up under the terms of the national understanding as it operates at present; if so, the extent of the fund; if it has been distributed; and, if so, to whom.
139.
Written Answers. - Employment Guarantee Fund.
138.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will agree to the request for additional funds for the completion of Waterford airport.
140.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the financial loss suffered by Waterford Harbour Commissioners because of difficulties at the Ross Ship Building Yard, he will make extra moneys available for the completion of the new dredger and pilot launch.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 139 and 140 together.
The Employment Guarantee Fund, with resources totalling £20 million, was originally set up under the first national understanding and was extended under the second national understanding by a further Exchequer contribution of £10 million. Legislation extending the fund was enacted on 25 July 1981.
Following consultations with the social partners, I allocated the additional £10 million in full on 21 September 1981. Details of this allocation were announced in a press release on the same day.
Waterford Airport received an allocation of £705,000 from the Employment Guarantee Fund under the first national understanding. Subsequent to this Waterford Corporation formally requested a further £155,000 towards the completion of the airport. This request was acceded to in full in the allocation under the second national understanding. When making this request Waterford Corporation indicated that they would request a further grant of £96,000 to meet the cost of improvements at the airport. The request was not subsequently made, and as I have indicated, the fund is now fully allocated.
Waterford Harbour Commissioners received an allocation of £500,000 from the Employment Guarantee Fund under the first national understanding towards the construction of a new dredger and pilot launch for Waterford Harbour. These vessels were to be built by the Ross Company Limited. An application for further assistance from the original or extended Employment Guarantee Fund was not received from the Waterford Harbour Commissioners. I have received representations from the Deputy on behalf of Waterford Harbour Commissioners inquiring whether there is any possibility that they might receive a further contribution from the fund. The answer is in the negative, since, again, the fund is fully allocated.