Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

25 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the date of publication of the national development plan; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for staff of area based partnerships and others due to the delay in decision making and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16095/99]

John Bruton

Question:

29 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recent meeting with the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (west region); and if he will make a statement on the report presented. [14959/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

31 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the meetings, if any, he has had with bodies in connection with the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14414/99]

Derek McDowell

Question:

32 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance the progress, if any, made since 26 May 1999 in drafting the national development plan. [16132/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 29, 31 and 32 together.

Work on preparing the national development plan has intensified in recent weeks. I expect to be in a position shortly to put a comprehensive set of proposals to the Government in relation to NDP priorities and investment.

The EU Structural Fund regulations were adopted by the General Affairs Council on 21 June last. The Government will accordingly have until mid-October to submit the NDP to the European Commission. However, it is the aim of the Government to publish the plan and submit it to the Commission before this deadline.

The consultation process involved in the drawing up of the national development plan has been extensive. Written submissions have been received from the regional authorities, the social partners and Government Departments. Meetings to discuss these submissions and the views of the various interests on the plan have been held at both official and ministerial level. A number of informal meetings have also been held at official level with the European Commission.

My Department organised a seminar on 13 May last involving a wide array of interests to hear presentations on, and to discuss priorities for, the national development plan. In addition, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I held further consultations on the plan with each of the four social partner pillars towards the end of May. Deputies and Senators were also given an opportunity to highlight the areas that the national development plan should address when I addressed and answered questions from the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, on 1 June, in connection with the NDP.

The Taoiseach recently attended a function organised by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland's west region in Dublin on 1 June, where he was presented with their west economic development plan for the years 2000-06. The plan has been forwarded to my Department and it will be fully considered in the context of the preparation of the NDP.

In relation to the continued existence and funding of many of the partnership organisations, these organisations and groups will generally continue to receive funding into 2000 for eligible expenditure which they have incurred under the current programmes. The Government has indicated its commitment to addressing urban and rural poverty black spots in the new NDP and those groups which are successful in the delivery of programmes in these areas under the current plan should have a role in the next plan. No specific commitments can, however, be given to individual groups in respect of the next round of programmes at this stage in advance of a Government decision on the NDP.