asked the Minister for Energy if funds under the EC Valoren Project are available to the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Valoren Project.
90.
Council Regulation 3301/86 (Valoren) does not exclude the availability of funds for private sector projects. In this instance, it was clear to the Government that the overall national interest would best be served by channelling the available funds into public sector areas of activity.
This approach has enabled the Government to draw up a programme of measures which will have a beneficial impact in upwards of thirteen counties in all four provinces with a direct employment effect of about 600 jobs. That programme, which incorporates elements such as peat development, small-scale hydroelectricity projects, wind power evaluation and the promotion of better use of energy, particularly indigenous energy forms, has recently been submitted to the EC Commission for approval and drawdown of the available funds.