Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 8

Written Answers. - Article 10 European Regional Development Fund Procedures.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

106 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that calls for tenders have been announced by the European Commission for local authorities to submit proposals for economic co-operation in the cultural field under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund Procedure (details supplied) with moneys available totalling up to £480,000 per project; if he will assist local authorities in the formulation of applications under Article 10 European Regional Development Fund Procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17875/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I am aware that the European Commission has published a call for proposals under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund Regulation. As the Deputy will know this call for proposals is a Commission initiative which is directed at networks of local authorities in the member states. I understand the intention is to finance pilot projects for interregional co-operation on economic development in the field of culture in the programming period 1995-99.

As the Deputy will appreciate, this matter is one for individual local authorities to address and to correspond direct with the European Commission. While I welcome such initiatives in particular as they are targeting local projects. I have no specific role in their implementation.