Vol. 444 No. 3
37 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reductions that have to be made to the operational programme for agriculture in view of the shortfall of £1 billion in the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, projections.
54 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the conclusion of negotiations with the European Commission regarding funding for the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, the implications of the revised funding on research, forestry development and food development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 54 together.
Total public funding allocated under the National Development Plan for areas for which I have responsibility was £1,505 million. Under the Community Support Framework which has now been approved in principle, the overall level of funding is approximately £1,406 million.
Much of the difference should be made up over the life of the plan by additional funds coming through by way of the inflator. This should allow all the main elements in the agriculture, food, rural development, forestry and research areas of the National Development Plan to be carried out as planned.
