Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Community Support Framework.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

182 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if there are elements of positive discrimination exercised by his Department towards particular areas in view of the fact that areas of rural Ireland contribute substantially to our current Objective One status; the form that any such positive discrimination takes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/97]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

As the Deputy is aware, the country as a whole has Objective One Status in terms of the current CSF programme. The European Regional Development Fund programmes operated under the aegis of my Department form part of the Operational Programme for Tourism. As such, to qualify for EU funding, they must be selected on the basis of the criteria for inclusion in that programme.