Vol. 476 No. 6
20 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to reduce the number of economic and social development agencies operating in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4120/97]
The economic and social development agencies operating in the Border region in general are no different from those operating elsewhere in the country. There are no plans to reduce the number of these agencies.
A particular aspect of the Border region is the special availability of funding from international sources, including the European Union. This funding is aimed at promoting development in the Border region as part of the peace process. It is channelled largely through the existing development agencies in the region.
In order to ensure greater co-ordination in take-up of this international funding, the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for Western Development and Rural Renewal, Deputy Donal Carey, chairs an interdepartmental task force on funding arrangements in the Border region. This task force has met on an ongoing basis since February 1996.
I understand that Minister Carey's initiative has resulted in much improved co-ordination between the agencies. The matter will be kept under review to ensure that the region derives the maximum possible benefit from the funding being made available.
