Michael D. Higgins
Question:61 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that no inordinate delays in European payments are impacting on the NOW programmes. [19384/99]
Written Answers. - EU Funding.
The employment initiative, of which NOW is a strand, has been operating since 1995 and will continue until end of 1999 early 2000. Over the course of the programme, delays have been experienced in receiving European Social Fund aid which have created difficulties for some project promoters participating in NOW. While projects have been paid their first advance, 50 per cent of their 1999 allocation, further advances have been claimed from the European Commission and are awaited. The next tranche of funding for this initiative is expected in four to six weeks. I would like to assure the Deputy that, once the advances are received in my Department, payments to projects will issue promptly.