asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the special position of Border counties, if he will propose any special measures within the Structural Funds to tackle their particular problems.
Written Answers. - Structural Funds.
120.
The National Development Plan provides for increased assistance in all of the sectors covered by the operational programmes. Most of the programmes have been submitted to the European Commission and are being examined in conjunction with the plan. The Border areas will benefit substantially from the anticipated increase in funds.
The potential for increased cross-Border co-operation is under examination at present. In the plan the Government acknowledge the strong support which has been received from the Commission in the past and look to a renewed commitment for such co-operation.
123.
asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of the Structural Fund money to be divided amongst: (a) regional funds (b) social funds and (c) agriculture funds.
The allocation of money between the regional, social and agricultural guidance funds is part of the European Community's annual budgetary procedure. In the 1989 Budget, the percentages for the three funds are:
|
% |
|
|
ERDF |
50 |
|
ESF |
37 |
|
EAGGF (Guidance) |
13 |
|
Total |
100 |
These relative weights may vary over the period from now to 1993 in the light of member states' plans and the Community support frameworks to be adopted in response to those plans.