Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - Delors Peace Package.

James McDaid

Question:

76 Dr. McDaid asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which the Delors peace initiative package will be divided; and his views on the amounts to be allocated for roads, water and sewerage schemes, enterprise boards and so on. [16004/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring):

The special EU support programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties provides for a new five-year Community Initiative, with funding of 300 MECU or IR£240 million approximately allocated for the first three years, 1995-97, of the initiative. The Initiative is designed to complement existing EU and national programmes and the funding provided is entirely additional.

Northern Ireland and the Border counties will receive respectively, a maximum of 80 per cent and a minimum of 20 per cent of the total funding. For the six Border counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo this will amount to EU funding 60 MECU.

In the overall programme five priority areas were identified for support namely; employment; urban and rural regeneration; cross-Border development; social inclusion and productive investment and industrial development. The allocations in monetary and percentage terms to the priority areas identified are detailed in paragraphs 3.26 and 3.27 of the operational programme adopted by the Commission on 26 July 1995. The arrangement and procedures for the disbursement of financial assistance are also set out in the above operational programme.

A copy of the operational programme was sent to all Oireachtas Members in the Border region shortly after its adoption. A copy has also been lodged in the Dáil Library.