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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - National Development Plan Funding.

Ivor Callely

Question:

64 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of funding allocated under the National Development Plan, 1989 to 1993; the breakdown of the allocation to the sub-regions; if he has satisfied himself with the progress of the plan to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The National Development Plan for Ireland 1989-1993 was submitted by the Government to the EC Commission. The plan set out the country's main development priorities for the five year period. In response to the plan, the EC Commission agreed with the Government the Community Support Framework for Ireland 1989-1993. The CSF was adopted in October 1989 and set out the broad thrust of the development programme to be undertaken jointly by the Irish authorities and the Commission.

Under the Community Support Framework Ireland has received a commitment of EC aid amounting to £2.86 billion (1989 prices) over the 1989-93 period. Additional aid under Community initiatives has brought the total commitment to Ireland to over £3 billion.

These Community funds are having a significant impact in strengthening the basic capacity of the Irish economy. It is estimated that the increase in Community support negotiated in 1989 has boosted annual growth by approximately ¼ per cent to ½ per cent. It has also resulted in higher employment than would otherwise have been possible and it was a key factor in the net increase of 39,000 nonagricultural jobs in the two years to April 1991. I am satisfied with the level of implementation to date and the rate of progress in achieving the targets set out in the Plan.

Detailed financial tables entitled "Breakdown of Structural Spending All Sub-regions" are circulated to the sub-regional review committees regularly and copies are placed in the Dáil Library. These show the level of expenditure and the rate of progress in implementing the CSF, broken down by operational programme and action, in actual terms of past years and on a forecast basis for future years. The most recent edition of these tables was issued to the committees in February 1992 and was placed in the Dáil Library on 26 February 1992 for the information of the Members of the Oireachtas. The information sought by the Deputy is contained in comprehensive fashion in this production.

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