Mary Coughlan
Question:144 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for the Marine the allocation made available to his Department for funding under INTERREG II; and the criteria for the allocation of such funds. [6307/95]
Written Answers. - INTERREG II
The joint INTERREG programme for Northern Ireland and Ireland, 1994-99, the North-South INTERREG programme, was approved by the EU Commission on 27 February 1995, and it contains the following financial provision for the Irish authorities for the two fisheries measures which my Department is involved in administering with the relevant Northern Ireland authorities:
£m (1994 Prices)
|
EU Aid |
State |
Private |
Total |
|
1.00 |
0.5 |
1.0 |
2.5 |
The two fisheries measures allow projects to be funded under the arrangements applying to two sources of EU funding.
For the fisheries I measure, the funding mechanism is the Financial Instrument of Fisheries Guidance, FIFG, which funds certain measures in the operational programme for fisheries, 1994-99. For the fisheries II measure, the funding mechanism is the European Regional Development Fund, which funds measures in various operational programmes, for example, fisheries; transport; environmental services; tourism, etc.
The final breakdown of EU aid as between the two fisheries measures will depend upon the types of projects approved for grant aid under the North-South INTERREG programme. Projects will be aided under the arrangements applying to the appropriate EU financial instrument: European Regional Development Fund or FIFG.
In the course of the implementation of the North-South INTERREG programme funds may be moved between the two measures and the procedures for grant assistance altered, subject to the availability of funds and the European Union's budgetary rules. At present an information pack is being prepared by the Department of Finance which will contain a copy of the North-South INTERREG programme; notes for guidance and application forms for those seeking assistance from the programme. This package of documentation should be available by mid-April 1995.
The project selection criteria for the fisheries measures are as follows:
Measure: Fisheries I (FIFG)
Project Selection Criteria:
—Priority will be given to viable, worthwhile projects which are cross-Border in nature.
—All projects must show the degree of cross-Border economic impact envisaged.
—Benefits must accrue to a specific or the general fisheries dependent-rural community in the eligible areas as defined in the Programme.
—Projects must contribute towards the economic development of the Border regions and the generation or stabilisation of employment.
—Projects must demonstrate a strong prospect of viability, i.e. can become self-sustaining.
—Projects must be compatible with the Common Fisheries Policy and EU Environment Policies.
—Projects must, where appropriate, contribute towards protection-improvement of the environment.
—Where the proposed work(s) require planning and other statutory approvals, such permission(s) must be obtained prior to commencement of any works. Evidence of same should be available to the administering agencies.
Measure: Fisheries II (ERDF)
Project Selection Criteria:
—Priority will be given to viable, worthwhile projects which are cross-Border in nature.
—All projects must show the degree of cross-Border economic impact envisaged.
—Benefits must accrue to a specific or the general fisheries dependent/ rural community in the eligible areas as defined in the Programme.
—Projects must contribute towards the economic development of the Border regions and the generation or stabilisation of employment.
—Projects must demonstrate a strong prospect of viability i.e. — can become self-sustaining.
—Projects must be compatible with the Common Fisheries Policy and EU Environment Policies.
The joint Ireland Wales programme under the INTERREG Structural Funds Community Initiative, 1994-99, the maritime INTERREG programme, is under discussion with the EU Commission. It is expected that the Commission will be in a position to approve that programme and, the project selection criteria for the measures which it supports, in the near future.