asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the way in which he believes local authorities should prepare themselves in order that they can benefit from the revised and strengthened structural funds which will be derived from the integrated programmes and operations of the European Community following the outcome of the last Brussels Summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Structural Funds.
48.
Major issues arising out of the Commission's comprehensive proposal for the reform of the structural funds were settled at the recent meeting of the European Council in Brussels. However, other details of this proposal are still under discussion and further proposals specific to each fund have still to be made. It is therefore too early to say what will be the full implications of these developments for local authorities.
In the meantime, preparations are being made for a limited number of programmes to be drawn up on the basis of the existing ERDF regulation, in which the local authorities will be involved. Experience gained in this process will, it is hoped, facilitate a smooth transition to the more general recourse to the programme approach envisaged in the comprehensive proposal. Consideration is also being given to the overall approach needed in order to maximise Ireland's share of the increased resources which will be available and to how these resources should best be used.