asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the EC to fund a special Border areas programme beyond 1985.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Areas Programme.
16.
The Commission, on foot of aproaches made to it following the British Government's withdrawal from the Northern Ireland gas pipeline project, has recently forwarded a proposal to the Council which, if accepted, would involve the granting, over a five-year period, commencing in 1985, of about IR£23 million in aid from the non-quota section of the European Regional Development Fund towards the supply and use of natural gas in Counties Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Sligo.
This will be effected by an amendment of the regulation governing the present special Border areas programme which is due to end on 15 December 1985.
Is it intended to apply for money from the non-quota section of the European Fund for a special Border fund similar to that which was available from 1981-85, inclusive? Is the Minister satisfied that the full allocation in the present Border fund will be taken up before the end of this year?
I am satisfied that the full allocation in the present fund will be taken up by the end of this year. The measure to which I referred in my reply is the extension being negotiated for the special Border areas fund.
The Minister is now referring to an extension of the gas pipeline which will not affect most of the Border counties. Would he not consider, even at this stage, applying for a similar scheme to that which has been in operation since 1981, covering the tourist industry, infrastructure, roads, transport, craft industries and aid for small and medium sized industries? In view of the situation in the Border areas as a result of the Government's policies, does he not consider it important that this scheme should continue for another five years?
I expect that the extension of a gas pipeline for the supply and use of natural gas in Counties Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Sligo will be potentially a very significant benefit to those counties. In the circumstances, this is an appropriate way of securing an extension of special Community aid for those areas.
How much money is involved in the new scheme?
About £23 million.
Over what period?
Five years.
Would the Minister not attempt to have a fund established which would carry on the tourist-craft projects, some of which will only get under way at the end of this year, in addition to the new gas scheme? Will the Minister ensure that the provision of gas will be organised in such a way physically that the prospect of extending it to the Six Counties will be kept in view?
The last part of the Deputy's question deals with a technical matter which I could not comment on at present. Regarding the first part of his question, I can only repeat that this is an extension of the special Border areas measure which we have now negotiated.
Does that mean that any tourist-craft projects which may not be furnished at the end of 1985 cannot expect to attract any more help from that special fund?
We originally negotiated the first special Border areas programme under the non-quota section and it was negotiated, agreed, signed, sealed and delivered as a measure which would end in December 1985. It fell to me subsequently to consider what kind of scheme might be put in its place at the end of 1985 and, after a number of considerations, the scheme to which I referred was negotiated.
If the Minister added the sum of £5 million he could keep the other scheme going.
Does the Minister agree that there was a sum of £3 million included in the Border fund of £20 million allocated specifically for craft industries? Very little of this money was taken up and very little effort made by the Government agencies dispensing the fund to ensure that it would be taken up. What will become of that money?
As I said not only today but on a number of previous occasions in the House, I am anxious to ensure that the full allocation under the current programme is used up by the end of this year. I wish to thank Deputy Leonard for the assistance he has given in a number of different ways in making sure that funds allocated are taken up promptly.
Will the sum of £3 million to which I refer be taken up under some other heading?
I am quite confident in this regard and I am determined to ensure that the full allocation will be used by 31 December 1985.