Ned O'Keeffe
Question:56 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position regarding EC grant aid which is being made available to Irish industry (details supplied).
Written Answers. - EC Grant Aid.
The Commitment of Community funding under the Community Support Framework for Ireland 1989-1993 amounts to £2.86 billion (1989 prices). Additional assistance under Community Initiatives has brought the total commitment to Ireland to over £3 billion. A total of £888 million in EC aid has been made available under the Industry and Services Operational Programme.
The Community Support Framework is being implemented through twelve sectoral operational Programmes, a small number of previously approved programmes and a number of community-wide measures under the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). There are also ten Operational Programmes under Community Initiatives.
These Operational Programmes specify in detail the particular development measures being undertaken, the level of EC and national funding available and the general criteria governing the provision of grant assistance to Irish enterprises. Lead Government Departments are charged with responsibility for implementing these operational programmes in association with the State agencies and bodies coming within their aegis.
Those wishing to pursue development proposals or ideas should contact the relevant Government Department or State agency where full details of the levels of grant assistance and eligibility criteria are available.