Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disbursement of Funding.

Brendan Smith

Question:

64 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the progress to date in the disbursement of funding under the Operational Programme for Peace and Reconciliation; if not, the action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5402/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Following the meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties held on 28 February, all the remaining necessary administrative and financial arrangements have now been completed. Consequently, Departments and the intermediary funding bodies concerned for the Border counties, Area Development Management Ltd. (ADM), Combat Poverty Agency and Co-operation North in conjunction with IBEC/CBI (NI) are now in a position to make a significant level of disbursement in 1996.

My own Department has responsibility under the peace programme for the implementation of Measure 3 (A) on cross-Border development. The funding available for this measure is 5.417 MECU in each jurisdiction and is intended for co-operation between public bodies, North and South. Projects submitted for consideration under this measure must be joint and co-operative. While several projects are under consideration, no disbursements have yet taken place.