Vol. 419 No. 5
106 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline and give the location of the specific projects and programmes which received the specific sums of EC moneys as referred to in the Taoiseach's speech in Dáil Éireann on 5 May 1992 on the Maastricht Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The figures mentioned in the Taoiseach's speech in the Dáil on 5 May 1992 refer to the EC aid being provided under the various operational programmes-actions comprehended by the Community Support Framework for Ireland 1989-1993 (CSF).
One of the major innovations in the reform of the Structural Funds adopted in 1988 involved the switch from a project-based to a programme-based approach. Previously the Commission decided on EC assistance on the basis of individual projects submitted by member states. The switch to the programme-approach has led to the reduction of bureaucratic delays, has streamlined administrative procedures and has speeded up the flow of payments to member states. Information on the implementation of the Community Support Framework and operational programmes is therefore provided on a programme rather than on a project basis.
As regards the location of programme expenditure, a comprehensive breakdown of structural spending in the seven sub-regions set up under the CSF was placed in the Dáil Library on 26 February 1992.
