Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Nora Owen

Question:

31 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance the input, if any, the Office of the Tánaiste has had in the redrafting of the National Development Plan, 1993 to 1997; and the involvement of the Minister of State at that office in discussions on the modified plan.

Nora Owen

Question:

45 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance the input the Office of the Tánaiste has had in the re-drafting of the National Development Plan, 1993 to 1997; and the involvement which the Minister of State at that office has had in discussions on the modified plan.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 45 together.

The Minister for Finance was responsible for co-ordinating the preparation of the National Development Plan which set out the Government's proposals for the use of EC Structural and Cohesion Funds in the period 1994 to 1999. Following its submission, the plan has been the subject of discussions with the EU Commission which will result in agreement on the Community Support Framework. The question of redrafting the plan does not arise.

The Minister of State at the Office of the Tánaiste, Deputy Eithne Fitzgerald, is also a Minister of State at the Department of Finance and in that capacity has been given special responsibility for preparation of the plan and the Community Support Framework.

Almost all Departments have been involved in work relating to the preparation of the plan and the Community Support Framework with the Department of Finance having the primary and co-ordinating role. The strategies to be adopted and the allocation of resources under the plan and Community Support Framework are matters that are decided by the Government.