Vol. 491 No. 3
239 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has to visit the Border region to make an announcement similar to the announcement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his visit to Northern Ireland on 12 May 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11844/98]
I am aware that Mr. Gordon Brown has announced a financial package of £315 million for the Six Counties of Northern Ireland, on foot of the Agreement reached at the recent multi-party talks. However, it should be noted that the Border region already receives a substantial level of both EC and Government funding due to its special situation. This funding is allocated under various programmes, including INTERREG, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the International Fund for Ireland.
Nevertheless, the Deputy may be assured that the Government is actively pursuing the economic regeneration of the Border counties, and that we will be making all reasonable efforts to ensure that this region benefits from any additional funds that may become available subsequent to the Northern Ireland Agreement. An announcement does not arise at this point in time.
240 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance when he will announce a corresponding allocation of major funding for the Border region in order to redress the severe disadvantage in those counties arising out of 30 years of conflict and 78 years of partition in view of the announcement on 12 May 1998 by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gordon Brown, of a financial package of £315 million for the Six Counties. [11845/98]
The Government has consistently supported all initiatives aimed at promoting economic regeneration in the Border counties, and the Deputy can be assured that we will be making all reasonable efforts to ensure that this region benefits from any additional funds that may become available on foot of the Agreement reached in the North at the multi-party talks.
The Border region is already receiving special financial assistance under various Programmes related to its situation. These programmes include INTERREG, which provides for over £100 million for the region, in both EU and domestic funding over the six years from 1994 to 1999, the Peace Programme — this has provision for approximately £83 million in EU and domestic funds for the Border region for the years 1995 to 1998 — and the International Fund for Ireland, which has already provided around £90 million for projects in the Border counties in the past ten years. All of these programmes are ongoing. The EU Commission has also recently approved more funding under the Peace Programme, which should see a further £21 million in funds being available for the Border region in 1999.
It should also be noted that, in relation to the infrastructural needs of the Border region, and as part of the planning process for post-1999 Structural Funds, I have written to all regional authorities seeking their proposals for investment in their regions, including their proposals for cross-Border co-operation.
