Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 4

Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.

Ivor Callely

Question:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself with the administration of INTERREG I; if INTERREG II will be administered in a similar way; the proposals, if any, he has to alter the administration process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10959/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

INTERREG I was intended to help Border areas prepare for a Community without internal frontiers. The joint Operational Programme prepared by Ireland and Northern Ireland for the period 1991-93 aimed to assist the Border region overcome its special development problems and to promote the creation and development of networks of cross-Border co-operation in order to maximise growth potential.

Grant applications were considered by joint North/South working groups representative of the sectoral departments and agencies concerned with the particular area in question. The working groups reported to the overall INTERREG Monitoring Committee which comprised representatives from the Commission and the two administrations. The chairman of the NorthWest Sub-regional CSF Review Committee was an ex-officio member of the Monitoring Committee representing the interests of the Border counties (the chairman of the new Border Regional Authority is likewise an ex-officio member of the Monitoring Committee under the new programme).

The independent evaluation carried out on behalf of the commission by consultants KPMG showed that the programme had succeeded very well. Many worthwhile projects were assisted. The evaluation did, however, indicate that there was a need for greater publicity for the programme locally and for an effective presence on the ground to be able to give additional assistance needed to local groups and individuals in accessing the programme.

Following publication of the commission's Green Paper on new Community Initiatives an extensive consultation process was carried out. The former North West Sub-Regional CSF Review Committee submitted their detailed views at a joint North/South conference held in Ballyconnell in November 1993. In addition, the views of local and regional bodies in all sectors and spheres were canvassed. The consultation process proved to be a very worthwhile exercise which was of considerable assistance in helping to refine thinking in relation to the new programme.

The guidelines set out the development aims of the new programme as: to assist internal Border areas of the European Union in overcoming the special developmental problems arising from their relative isolation within national economies and within the Union as a whole, in the interests of the local population and in a manner compatible with the protection of the environment; to promote the creation and development of networks of co-operation across internal borders and where relevant, the linking of these networks to wider Community networks in the context of the completion of the single market in 1992.

The guidelines allow for a continuation of measures which were found to be successful under INTERREG I. As the arrangements in relation to the implementation of the programme worked satisfactorily similar arrangements have been put in place for INTERREG II. To address the need for greater support facilities locally we have agreed, with the Commission and the Northern authorities, to set up an INTERREG Development Office function to facilitate the promotion of the programme and to improve its visibility within the eligible region. The INTERREG Development Officer will be based in two sub-offices, one of which will be based in Monaghan town and the other in Armagh city. Interviews for the post of development officer are scheduled for the end of June.