Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

79 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if any projects in County Meath are benefiting under the INTERREG Programme; if he will delegate the responsibility for allocating these funds to health boards or local authorities, rather than continuing to distribute this money himself on a central basis.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

The eligible areas for the joint Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme are the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth and all of Northern Ireland except Belfast. There is provision for assistance on a limited scale for projects in areas outside but contiguous to these Border areas and some projects in County Meath have been assisted.

The INTERREG Programme includes a range of measures in the areas of Tourism; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Human Resources; Environmental Protection; and Regional Development (including Community Development, Economic Development and Infrastructure Provision and Improvement). The monitoring of the progress is co-ordinated by the Department of Finance. Decisions on individual projects are taken by the relevant Government Departments and State agencies.

I am satisfied that the arrangements for management of the programme are the most suitable to ensure its efficient and effective implementation.