Mary Coughlan
Question:93 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Finance the counties eligible for INTERREG funding; and the programmes under which each county may apply for funding. [2282/97]
Written Answers. - INTERREG Funding.
The joint Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme 1994-9 is the successor to the earlier programme which ran from 1991 to the end of 1993. This joint programme covers the Border counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. The INTERREG programme is a multi-sectoral one with two major objectives; cross-Border co-operation and the economic regeneration of Border regions of the European Union.
The Commission approved an EU aid allocation to Ireland under the Programme of 89.5 MECU, approximately IR£72 million. When Exchequer co-funding and funding from State agencies and the private sector is added, the totalpackage for the Border counties amounts to nearly IR£115 million.
The programme is divided into five sub-programmes covering regional development, human resources development, infrastructure, agriculture/fisheries/forestry and environmental protection. Because of the nature of the programme grants are approved on the basis of projects submitted and funding is not determined on a county basis.