Written Answers. - EU Border Funding.
James McDaid
Question:
16
Dr. McDaid
asked the
Minister for Finance
if he will ensure the redirection of funds from other areas/sections on a temporary basis in order to draw down maximum European funding, INTERREG II Delors package, for the Border regions.
[17644/95]
James McDaid
Question:
21
Dr. McDaid
asked the
Minister for Finance
the plans, if any, he has in place to guarantee the drawing down of maximum funding to the Border regions from the European Union.
[17640/95]
Rory O'Hanlon
Question:
28
Dr. O'Hanlon
asked the
Minister for Finance
the new initiatives, if any, he proposes to take in the Border region to attract inward investment and encourage existing industry to grow; the additional funding, if any, that will be provided from the Exchequer, the EU INTERREG and peace initiative moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2458/96]
John Ellis
Question:
32
Mr. Ellis
asked the
Minister for Finance
if he will make a statement regarding the additionality of EU funding for Border areas in view of the Taoiseach's recent statement in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
[17853/95]
Dermot Ahern
Question:
59
Mr. D. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Finance
if there will be no additionality in respect of the INTERREG II programme and other special EU Border funding in view of the Taoiseach's statement at a meeting of the northwest region cross-Border group on 27 October 1995 in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
[16700/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 21, 28, 32, and 59 together.
In addition to expenditure under the Community Support Framework (CSF) operational programmes and from the Community initiatives, the Border region comprising the six counties of Cavan, Donegal, Letrim, Louth. Monaghan and Sligo, is benefiting specifically from the Special EU programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties and the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme 1994-1999. These programmes are co-ordinated by my Department and delivered through a variety of appropriate sectoral departments and agencies.
Under the Peace Programme a total of 300 MECU (approximately £240 million) of EU funds is being provided over the period 1995-1997. At least 20 per cent of these funds, amounting to approximately £48 million, is being made available for the six Border counties.
Under INTERREG II a total of 156 MECU of EU funds has been allocated to the Border counties and Northern Ireland for cross-Border projects in infrastructure, environmental protection, natural resources, human resources and economic development. Of this amount 89.5 MECU (approximately £72 million), significantly over half of the EU funding approved, has been made available for the six Border counties, and, as in the case of the Peace Programme, matching funding will come from central Government, local authorities, the private sector and community groups depending on the nature of the project being funded.
As the Deputies will know, an INTERREG office was established in Monaghan in December last and an INTERREG development officer has been appointed with the specific remit of assisting with the promotion of this programme on the ground both in the Border counties and in Northern Ireland. He will also inform interested groups and individuals on other sources of EU funding for their particular projects.
Deputies who were present at the formal opening will recall that I used it to specifically address the concerns of Border Deputies in relation to additionality and I am glad to get the opportunity again today.
Expenditure under the peace programme and INTERREG II will be additional to spending in the Border counties under the 1994-1999 CSF operational programmes for Ireland and under other Community initiatives. In order to verify this additionality the Department of Finance has requested Government Departments to compile details of forecast expenditure under each operational programme and community initiatives for each of the eight regions. These forecasts, which are now being finalised, will provide the baseline reference data for establishing additionality of expenditure under the INTERREG II and the Peace Programme over the period of these programmes. Rest assured that procedures are being put in place to ensure that additionality of funding under INTERREG II and the Peace Programme will be verifiable and transparent.
In the context of the Peace Programme the Department of Finance has already asked Departments responsible for CSF operational programmes to examine the possibilities for refocusing these programmes in order to accommodate the new demands and challenges which have arisen following the cessation of violence. While a major recasting of operational programmes should not prove necessary, Departments are examining possibilities such as advancing the timing of projects located within the Border region and increased opportunities for cross-Border co-operation.
Given the number and variety of funding programmes both specifically aimed at and involving the Border counties I welcome the Taoiseach's proposal to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Donal Carey, to recommend whatever steps may be appropriate so that the maximum effectiveness of funding is achieved. My Department, which has the overall responsibility for co-ordinating the Community Support Framework and the Community initiatives, will be co-operating fully in whatever additional measures are found to be necessary.
