Vol. 512 No. 5
37 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason moneys from the Western Development Fund have not been paid out; the number of projects waiting for grant assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26445/99]
The western investment fund is likely to constitute a form of State aid and it, therefore, requires the prior approval of the European Commission for its operation. My Department has been in correspondence and discussion with the Commission since June in this matter and has been ably assisted by the Western Development Commission in this task.
When I met Commissioner Fischler in Brussels on 6 December, I took the opportunity to raise this issue with him. I also brought the matter to the attention of Commissioner Byrne who has promised to do all he can to help. I am confident that we will have a favourable decision in the matter shortly.
I am advised by the Western Development Commission that it has some 100 inquiries on hand regarding possible assistance from the fund. Some of these would be fully detailed projects capable of being evaluated for aid purposes.
The Government's commitment to the fund remains. Provision of £25 million has been made in the national development plan for this purpose and £5 million is included for it in the Estimate for my Department for the year 2000.
