Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Support Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

137 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his 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 his Department is responsible; if a report giving details of the reasons for underspending has been prepared for the monitoring committee; and, if so, if he will publish this report. [22644/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department has been allocated Structral Funds under the Community Support Framework (CSF) 1994-99 under two headings:

	Total Public Allocation MECU
—the Operational Programme for Agricultural, Rural Development and Forestry (OPARDF)	1,557
—the Food Sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development	313

Expenditure under the OPARDF as a whole is ahead of target and £831 million, over 68 per cent of its allocation, had been expended by 30 November 1997. In fact, a number of capital investment schemes have been closed for some time as all available funding has been fully committed. Following the recent mid-term review of the CSF, additional funding of 18 MECU from the food sub-programme was allocated to the OPARDF to cater for excess demand. Extra Exchequer funding under the Supplementary Estimate for 1997 and again in the 1998 Estimates is being provided to meet matured liabilities.

The reallocation of funds for the food sub-programme was due to the fact that the expenditure under the capital investment element had been behind expectations. This was attributable to the BSE-related difficulties in 1996 and the reticence of some project promoters to draw down funds on a phased basis. Recently, expenditure under the capital investment measure has increased significantly. There is intense competition for the remaining funds under the measure.

John Bruton

Question:

138 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food 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 his Department, or bodies under the aegis of his Department, from the European structural funds; and, if so, the specific new measures, if any, which are being undertaken for this purpose. [22659/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The CSF mid-term review package formally approved at the July 1997 meeting of the CSF monitoring committee includes provision for all lead Departments, implementing the CSF to examine the feasibility of greater private sector participation across all operational programmes and also a reduction in aid rates. The agreement recognises, however, that there are inherent risks as well as practical difficulties in attempting to introduce fundamental changes over a relatively short period.

Under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry, an evaluation of training in the forestry area has recently been undertaken and the terms of reference included an examination of the possibility of involvement of the private sector in this area. This aspect is now being followed up by the Forest Service of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.

John Bruton

Question:

139 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he will take to improve the quality of cost benefit analyses in relation to funds received by his Department or by bodies under the aegis of his 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. [22677/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department has responsibility for the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry and the Food Sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development. The comments in the mid-term evaluation of the Community Support Framework for Ireland relate to investment projects outside the responsibility of this Department. It is understood that guidelines will be issuing from the Community Support Framework evaluation unit in relation to the approach to be taken in future to cost benefit analysis arising under any operational programme.