Theresa Ahearn
Question:70 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the Interreg programme; if any projects from County Tipperary are benefiting under this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.
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-boder 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 £58m) 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 greater 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.