Billy Timmins
Question:216 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance if the recent application to the EU for Structural Funding sought to maximise funding that could be received. [6241/99]
Written Answers. - EU Funding.
It is clearly a central objective of the Government to maximise Ireland's receipts under the Structural Funds in the next round. It has to be recognised that Ireland cannot expect to obtain the equivalent level of transfers as it did in the current round. The Government accepts that a lower transfer will be inevitable. However, the level of transfer must be fair and equitable having regard to Ireland's infrastructural backlog relative to most of the EU. This has been the Government's strategy since the publication of the European Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals.
The Deputy's reference to a recent application presumably refers to the case made by Ireland to EUROSTAT to introduce a greater degree of regionalisation. This application, currently being negotiated, would have the effect of changing Ireland's classification from its existing status as a single NUTS II region to two NUTS II regions for Structural Funds purposes. The creation of two regions at NUTS II level will be fully consistent with the aims of the Government's regional policy and with the desire of the European Commission, as outlined in Agenda 2000 and other policy statements, to achieve a greater influence of local interests over regional policy and bring about a better concentration of resources in the areas of greatest need in the next round.