Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 1

Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

66 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the criteria that were used in deciding which areas and counties would qualify for eligibility under the INTERREG Programme; and the reason certain counties were chosen as border counties, even though they did not touch the border, while other counties close to the border, such as County Meath, were excluded.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

INTERREG is a Structural Fund Community initiative designed to promote the implementation of certain Community objectives in relation to the special development problems of Border areas. Ireland and Northern Ireland have a joint programme under the initiative.

The final determination of areas to be covered under INTERREG was a matter for the EC Commission. The Commission used the NUTS III regional classification for the purposes of defining the eligible area. In the case of Ireland and NUTS III level regions are the former planning regions, and those adjacent to the Border were included. These were Donegal, the North East, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, and the North West, Sligo, Leitrim. Under paragraphs 9 and 10 of the INTERREG guidelines some flexibility was allowed in respect of a limited number of measures such as co-operation networks and road infrastructures. This allowed for the inclusion of some suitable projects in areas outside but contiguous to the eligible area, that is parts of Meath, Roscommon and Longford.