Seymour Crawford
Question:54 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of any meetings she has had with the EC Social Affairs Commissioner relating to education matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Meeting with the EC Social Affairs Commissioner.
Nora Owen
Question:59 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the meetings she has had with the EC Social Affairs Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 59 together.
I visited the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels on 18 March last for discussions with EC Commissioners Mr. Pádraig Flynn and Mr. Bruce Millan in relation to the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, respectively.
My discussions with Mr. Flynn centred on (i) the positive contribution which the European Social Fund has made to programmes operated by my Department in the current Community Support Framework; and (ii) the Implementing Regulations governing the operation of the European Social Fund which were then under consideration by the Commissioner prior to submission to the Commission for adoption.
I took the opportunity of outlining the issues which I considered the Commission should take into account in finalising the regulations. The Deputy will be aware that these regulations are now before the Council for adoption, I consider that they take adequate account of the issues which I raised with the Commissioner.