Liam Aylward
Question:189 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position in relation to the funding of the area development management programmes from EU Structural Funds for the year 2000. [7417/99]
Written Answers. - EU Funding.
My Department provides funding to Area Development Management Limited, ADM, in respect of two EU supported programmes: the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development 1994-99, OPLURD; and the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, 1996-99, SSPPR.
Under sub-programme 2 of the OPLURD, ADM receives EU funds to support the local action plans of partnerships and ADM community groups. As at 1 January 1999, with virtually all moneys committed, some £28.2 million of EU funds remain to be spent before programme end. Current forecasts are that these remaining funds will be spent largely in 1999, with the balance being spent early in 2000.
In terms of funding under the next National Development Plan, my Department recognises the role of area-based strategies in tackling disadvantage and has framed its case for funding on that basis. Given the current stage in the negotiation process for structural funds, it is not possible at this time to accurately estimate the exact contents of the National Development Plan or the amount of funds which will be available in the period 2000-6 either nationally or to any particular organisation. However, the Government has already made it very clear that tackling social inclusion will be a priority in the next national development plan.
The Department of Finance is the lead department for the special support programme for peace and reconciliation. EU funding is provided through my Department's Vote to ADM as the implementing body for 11 measures of the SSPPR. The total EU allocation to ADM over the period of the programme is £19.8 million. As at 1 January 1999, with some £2.2 million remaining to be committed, £12.8 million of EU funds remain to be spent under ADM's SSPPR measures before the end of the expenditure period set for the programme – December 2001.