Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.

Enda Kenny

Question:

126 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the allocation received by Ireland under the INTERREG programme dealing with co-operation between regions straddling national borders in each of the years from 1988 to 1992; the uses to which this money has been put; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

INTERREG is a Community initiative under the Structural Funds which is aimed at assisting border areas of the Community in overcoming their special development problems and at promoting cross-border co-operation.

Under the joint Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme, which was approved on 25 July 1991 and runs to the end of 1993, the EC is providing 76 million ECU, approximately £58 million, in 1991 prices in Structural Fund assistance towards expenditure under the Programme in eligible border areas in the North and South. Assistance is provided under the programme for both cross Border projects and projects on each side of the Border carried out within the joint planning framework of the programme — the great majority of projects would fall into the latter category.

The programme covers expenditure in the areas of tourism; agriculture, fisheries and forestry; human resources; environmental protection, and regional development (local community development, economic development and infrastructure).

The eligible area comprises the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth and all of Northern Ireland except Belfast.