Written Answers. - Community Support Framework.
John Bruton
Question:
99
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if her Department has received money under the Community Support Framework; the underspendings of allocated funds, if any, there have been under the Community Support Framework in the areas for which her Department is responsible; if a report giving details of the reasons for underspending has been prepared for the monitoring committee; and, if so, if she will publish this report.
[22638/97]
John Bruton
Question:
100
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the measures, if any, which are being taken to increase cost recovery or provide for more competition in the delivery of services in accordance with a decision taken in the context of the mid-term review of Structural Funds in relation to funds received by her Department, or bodies under the aegis of her Department, from the European Structural Funds; and, if so, the specific new measures, if any, which are being undertaken for this purpose.
[22652/97]
John Bruton
Question:
101
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the steps, if any, she will take to improve the quality of cost benefit analyses in relation to funds received by her Department or by bodies under the aegis of her Department under the Community Support Framework in view of the criticisms of the quality of some cost benefit analysis arising during the mid-term review of the Structural Funds.
[22668/97]
John Bruton
Question:
102
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the funds, if any, her Department, or agencies under its aegis, are receiving from the Community Support Framework of the EU; and, if so, the steps, if any, she is taking to ensure that the private sector is allowed to participate in tendering for grants under the operational programme on the basis of criteria set down in advance as agreed as part of the mid-term review of the Community Support Framework.
[22682/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 100, 101 and 102 together.
My Department is involved with two operational programmes under the current Community Support Framework. The two programmes in question are the economic infrastructure operational programme, 1994-9, and the operational programme for transport, 1994-9.
The economic infrastructure operational programme is concerned with a selective investment programme in the postal, energy and telecommunications sectors. While there has been underspending in some of the energy measures of the operational programme, the bulk of the expenditure under the operational programme will occur in 1998 and 1999, which reflects the long leadin time for some of the larger investments to be implemented under the operational programme. The background to underspending, under some measures of the operational programme, is contained in the annual reports for the operational programme which are in the Dáil Library, as well as in the ongoing work of the monitoring committee.
The operational programme for transport provides for an EU backed investment programme in national and secondary roads, non-national roads, mainline rail, State airports, Dublin Transportation Initiative, DTI, including light rail, commercial seaports and regional ports. The Department of the Environment and Local Government is the lead Department for this operational programme. My Department has made returns to that Department in relation to underspending under the DTI public transport measure. The background to underspending under this measure is contained in the annual reports for the operational programme for transport which are in the Dáil Library.
The CSF monitoring committee did not make any specific recommendations concerning the recovery of costs for the delivery of services or the need for more competition in the delivery of services in relation to any of the sectors for which my Department has responsibility. The main focus of Government policy in relation to State companies is that where necessary to respond better to the needs of customers, liberalisation of sectors, and growing competition, or the need to enhance the competitiveness of the country, they should become more efficient and effective. In some cases this requires major transformation and sometimes restructuring.
The application of best practice in relation to the completion of socio-economic cost benefit analyses, arising from the CSF mid-term review is a matter which will be addressed by the Department in consultation with the CSF evaluation unit as well as the external evaluators for the relevant operational programmes, The information requested by the Deputy concerning the individual allocations of EU funds between different measures to be implemented, by agencies under the aegis of my Department, and by the private sector is set out in the individual operational programmes which are in the Oireachtas Library.
The allocation of EU aid for a new measure in the economic infrastructure operational progamme, concerned with the development of broadband technology is conditional on all of the players in the telecommunications sector, including the private sector, being allowed to participate in tendering for the grant on the basis of criteria set down in advance. My Department is in the process of engaging consultants to develop these criteria for the assessment of the most suitable broadband project or projects.
The mid-term review of the CSF provides for an evaluation of the potential for generating funding, including private finance, from an operating concession for light rail, possibly including associated park and ride facilities. The drafting of terms of reference for this evaluation is currently under way.
