Vol. 498 No. 6
53 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will initiate special investment measures to tackle the infrastructural needs of the Border region in view of the need to regenerate the economy of the region which has suffered immense damage since 1969; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/98]
The Government has consistently supported all initiatives aimed at promoting economic regeneration in the Border region and will continue to do so in the future.
The Deputy will be aware that the Border region is already receiving special financial assistance under various programmes related to its special position. These programmes include the International Fund for Ireland, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the INTERREG programme.
The International Fund for Ireland was established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 with the aim of promoting economic and social progress in Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The fund has received contributions from the European Union, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The fund has already provided a total of £350 million in funding for a range of economic and social programmes delivered in Northern Ireland and the six southern Border counties.
The Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, established by the European Union in 1995, is aimed at Northern Ireland and the Border counties. It involves total EU expenditure of approximately £320 million over four years. At least 20 per cent of this funding is available for the six Border counties. The Commission recently indicated its support for a further 100 million ECU (approximately IR£80 million) for 1999.
The Joint Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG programme, established under the Structural Funds, has approved EU funding for the Border counties over the six years 1994-99 of approximately IR£74 million. The allocation to Northern Ireland was STG£56 million. Together with matching funding available from both Governments and other sources, the total investment available is IR£210 million.
The EU Community Support Framework for Ireland, 1994-1999 includes a commitment on the part of the Irish and UK Governments to maximise co-operation on Northern Ireland. This commitment to co-operation will continue during the next round of funding. With regard to the planning process for the post-1999 Structural Funds, I have written to all regional authorities, the social partners and Government Departments seeking their proposals for investment, including their proposals for increased cross-Border co-operation.
