Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 6

Written Answers. - INTERREG Funding.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

99 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Finance the progress, if any, which has been made regarding an application made for funding under INTERREG by groups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11403/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The groups in question operate in the pre-school playgroups area which is not in itself eligible for funding under the EU Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG programme. They had been assisted under INTERREG I to hold a joint conference; this was facilitated under a measure of the programme which supported linkages between organisations North and South.

Officials of my Department have been in discussion with the groups in relation to the possibility of funding under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties. Measures have been proposed under that programme in the areas of specific interest to the groups, and, subject to Commission approval of those particular measures, it has been suggested to them that an application under the peace programme is the more appropriate avenue to explore. The Commission hopes to have the programme approved by end July.