asked the Minister for Finance if the Government will forward an integrated development programme for south west Kerry, as prepared, to the Commission of the European Communities for appropriate action including financial aid at the maximum rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - South West Kerry Aid Programme.
203.
I assume that what the Deputy has in mind is the submission of the programme in question to the European Commission with a view to securing financial assistance for its implementation from the European Regional Development Fund.
It is a prerequisite for securing aid from the Regional Fund that the projects in respect of which the moneys are drawn down should already be in receipt of Exchequer assistance. The Community funds serve to increase the resources of the Public Capital Programme and enable additional regional development to be undertaken.
In Ireland's case the whole country is regarded as one region for the purpose of Community regional policy. The financial aid received from the Community under the quota section of the fund is used, in great part, to finance national programmes of infrastructural expenditure, the priority areas being telecommunications, roads, water supplies. Substantial benefit accrues to all areas of the country from this expenditure and the needs of particular areas must be seen in the context of overall national priorities.
Moneys are also received under the non-quota section of the Regional Fund in respect of the special Border areas programme.
Given the structure of the fund and the way in which moneys are allocated, it is not possible to say which parts of the south-west Kerry proposals would be aided by the fund.
The Government consider that the integrated operations envisaged by the European Community authorities give rise to certain disadvantages and are therefore not in favour of proceeding along these lines.