asked the Minister for Finance if, in respect of the committee which has been established to prepare a brief for the integrated programme for Dublin city for submission to the European Community for financial assistance and support, he will outline the composition of that Committee; the names of its members; the Departments or organisations which it represents; the Department which provides the secretariat for that Committee; the Department which chairs the Committee; the timetable of its work; when it is intended to (a) advertise for consultants (b) select a consultant and (c) obtain from the consultant a definitive report for Dublin's integrated programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin City Integrated Programme.
40.
In order to ensure that assistance from the EC's Structural Funds, particularly the European Regional Development Fund, is used as effectively as possible, the Government have decided to move towards a programme approach for Irish submissions for aid from these funds. The Government further decided that a study should be carried out to formulate a four-year programme for the Greater Dublin Area, primarily with the European Regional Development Fund in mind but making specific provision also for support from the European Social Fund and, as appropriate, from the FEOGA Guidance Fund and the other Community financial instruments.
A steering committee have been set up to oversee the preparation and implementation of the study and, eventually, the programme. The committee comprise representatives of the Departments of Finance, Agriculture and Food, Energy, Environment, Labour, Industry and Commerce, Tourism and Transport; the Dublin City and County Manager: Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Commission of the European Communities. Departmental representatives will be accompanied by representatives of relevant State-sponsored bodies as the need arises. The Chairman and the Secretariat are provided by the Department of Finance. As the Deputy is aware, it is the convention not to name officials in the House and accordingly I do not propose to give the names of the members of the committee.
The steering committee have drawn up a brief for the study, on the basis of which tenders were invited from consultants. The closing date for submission of proposals was 30 April and those that have been received are being examined at the moment. It is envisaged that work on the study will commence in June with a final report being submitted at the end of the year.