Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 4

Written Answers. - Structural Funds.

Ray Burke

Question:

58 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Finance, in light of the recent revelation that 1,738 million ECU or over IR£1,400 million in Structural Funds was unspent by EU states last year, the action, if any, the Government has taken to redirect some of this funding to Ireland; and the contacts, if any, that have been made with the European Commission on the matter. [9304/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The question of seeking to have Structural Funds, unspent in 1994, redirected to Ireland does not arise. These funds are not available for reallocation. Underspends of funds allocated to member states for 1994 have been automatically carried forward, under agreed budgetary procedures, to 1995 and subsequent years to be spent by the member states, in line with allocations already agreed with the Commission.

Under the Structural Fund regulations, a mid-term review of the operation of the funds will take place. Under this review, the commission is required to prepare a report on the operation of the funds not later than 31 December 1996. This will identify any serious underspends and delays in progress in implementing Community Support Frameworks in member states. This mid-term review may provide the first real opportunity to seek additional assistance from Structural Funds. The Government will continue to monitor progress in this regard, and, if the opportunity arises, it will seek to secure for Ireland the maximum share of any additional resources which might become available as a result of the mid-term review.