Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - EU Funding.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

204 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the criteria used for deciding on counties which will qualify for Objective One status under the next round of Structural Funds; the reasons it would appear that County Kerry has been excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20090/98]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

205 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the estimated relative advantage or disadvantage, on a fund-by-fund basis, of maintaining Ireland as a single Objective One in transition region, compared with division into an Objective One in transition region and Objective One region in view of the post-1999 Structural Funds. [20150/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.

With regard to the factors which determine which regions are eligible for Objective One status, I refer the Deputies to the reply, which I gave to several questions concerning regionalisation in the House last Wednesday, 14 October 1998.

Ireland's overall allocation in the next round of Structural Funds, as broken down between the various funds, will only become clear when the national plan and the community support framework are finalised.

I would, however, again refer to my answer of 14 October last, where I pointed out that any extra benefits for any Objective One region, in the event of regionalisation, would not be at the expense of the region in tansition.