Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Peace Initiative Programme.

James Leonard

Question:

63 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has to ensure greater co-operation between the State agencies and their counterparts in Northern Ireland to maximise the benefits from available development funding. [15129/96]

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

64 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money allocated in 1996 under the EU Peace Initiative Programme; if he has satisfied himself that this sum will be drawn down before the end of 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15215/96]

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

65 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance when the mid-term review of the funding under the EU Peace Initiative Programme will take place. [15216/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64 and 65 together.

The total EU funding available to the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland is 300 million ECU (approximately £240 million) over three years. At least 20 per cent of this funding (approximately £48 million) is committed to the six Border counties. At least 15 per cent of the overall amount will be devoted to activities carried out in a cross-Border context.

Under the Peace Programme the total amount of funding allocated for 1996 to the border areas is 38.456 million ECU. This comprises to 26.871 million ECU EU funding, 8.963 million ECU national co-financing and a private sector element of 2.622 million ECU. Reports from the various implementing agencies indicate that substantial progress is being achieved. It is expected, therefore, that the bulk of the funding provided for this year will be committed by year's end. Any funding not expended in 1996 will, of course, be carried forward to the following year.

The joint administrations are in the process of tendering for consultants for the mid-term review of the programme and the appointment of the evaluator should be made by September 1996. The mid-term review is expected to be completed by June 1997.

Sup-programme 3, Measure 3 of the Peace Programme makes available a total of 22.5 million ECU from the EU Structural Funds between 1995 and 1997 to assist co-ordinated approaches by public bodies to common problems in the eligible areas. Departments in Northern Ireland and Ireland have been meeting to establish a mechanism for the distribution of these funds and to consider the applications received to date. It is expected that a first tranche of approvals will be announced shortly, with a further tranche anticipated for the autumn.