Vol. 429 No. 6
67 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the South-East area, which was the lowest net beneficiary from the Structural Funds 1989-1993, will be treated more favourably in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Community Support Framework, 1989-1993, aid is channelled through a series of sectoral operational programmes drawn up at national level and not on a subregional basis. Comparison of per capita aid received on a subregional basis fails to take account of the benefits of investment in one subregion and another subregion.
Planning for the next round of structural assistance is at an advanced stage. The proposals made by the subregional review committees are being fully considered in the context of drawing up the National Development Plan to cover the period 1994-1999. In addition, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with particular responsibility for the preparation of the plan has attended meetings of each of the committees for comprehensive discussions on their proposals. The Deputy can be assured that the views of the South-East Sub-Regional Review Committee, as expressed in their national plan submission, are being carefully considered.
