Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 1

Written Answers. - EC Structural Funds.

Jim Higgins

Question:

72 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the composition of the programmes monitoring committees for EC Structural Funds; whether there is adequate local input into such committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The monitoring system for the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Ireland (1989-1993) will operate at three levels: (a) Community Support Framework; (b) Operational Programmes; and (c) Sub-regional Review Committees.

CSF Level

The monitoring committee for the CSF will comprise Government Departments, the Commission of the European Communities and the European Investment Bank.

Operational Programmes

The monitoring committees for the operational progammes will comprise: the Government Departments concerned; the implementing State agencies; Commission of the European Communities; European Investment Bank; and the relevant social partners.

Sub-regional level

The sub-regional review committees will comprise the previous sub-regional advisory and working groups which will now be merged. It is, however, proposed to augment the local involvement by the inclusion of one further representative from the local authorities concerned. Membership will comprise:

—the chairperson and one other member of each county council, county borough council and local authority with a population in excess of 15,000 (including environs).

—county and county borough managers.

—Representatives of the following Government Departments: Finance, Industry and Commerce, Agriculture and Food, Tourism and Transport and Environment, with other departments and State agencies attending as required.

—Representatives of the following organisations: chambers of commerce, CII, CIF, FIE, ICMSA, ICOS, ICTU (2 representatives), IFA and Macra na Feirme.

I am happy that the monitoring arrangements agreed with the European Commission for the Community Support Framework are the best possible for our situation.

Local representation has been set at a significant level. The Sub-regional Review Committees will be regularly informed and consulted concerning the implementation of operational measures in, or significantly, affecting the subregion concerned. They will also receive and consider progress reports and financial statements on current and planned implementation of measures. A sub-regional review committee may convey its opinion on any aspect of implementation to the CSF monitoring committee or to the monitoring committee for a particular measure, as appropriate. A monitoring committee which has received such an opinion shall hear the chairman of the review committee on that matter if he so requests.

These provisions from the Community Support Framework guarantee a significant and appropriate level of involvement by local interests in the development programme to be undertaken in the years ahead.