asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself regarding the response which the delegation of Irish Cabinet Ministers received from the European Commission in Brussels when they met on 16 January, 1989, in relation to the question of Ireland's share of the European Structural Funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - European Structural Funds.
50.
On 16 January last, my colleagues and I had consultations with members of the EC Commission regarding the preparation of the development plan to be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the new regime applicable to the EC Structural Funds. The agreement of the Commission was obtained to the general approach of the Government to the plan, the objectives to be set and the particular sectors on which the development measures would concentrate.
The Commission could not give any formal commitment in relation to the level of assistance which Ireland would obtain from the EC Structural Funds in advance of consideration of the full plan. However, it was possible to provide in the 1989 budget for developmental measures totalling £75 million, on the basis of prudent expectations of the increase in commitments for Ireland for 1989 from the European Regional Development Fund. This provision will avoid delay in the commencement of the development measures which would have been inevitable because of the procedures prescribed in the EC regulations for the formal consideration of plans and programmes and for the subsequent commitment of assistance from the EC Structural Funds.
I regard the outcome of the consultations with the Commission as most satisfactory.