To ask the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
Written Answers. - EC Educational Aid.
28.
Michael Creed
Question:75 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
Richard Bruton
Question:85 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
Godfrey Timmins
Question:93 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
John Bruton
Question:96 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:105 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
Michael Noonan
Question:106 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education the way in which the changes in the EC Treaty which concern education and were agreed at Maastricht, will alter the present pattern of EC assistance for educational activities in Ireland.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 75, 85, 93, 96, 105 and 106 together.
The present position is that the vast bulk of EC funding received by my Department for training activities at second and third level of the education system is obtained through the Structural Funds. The Department expect to draw down £130 million in 1992 and £133 million in 1993 from these funds.
The main effect of the changes in the EC Treaty agreed in Maastricht which concern education will be a broadening of the range of education/training activities eligible for support from the European Social Fund. This, in the context of increased Structural Funds after 1993, will represent a substantial benefit to Ireland. EC support will be sought for a wider range of educational/training activities than at present, including support for expanded vocational training programmes and for undergraduate degree programmes.
Negotiations on the next agreement for support from the Structural Funds will begin during 1992.