Vol. 544 No. 4
190 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected that the INTERREG III programme will become operational; if appli cation forms are available for the various schemes; the total funding available for this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29265/01]
I inform the Deputy that good progress is being made in relation to the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG IIIA Community Initiative Programme, 2000-06. Revised programme proposals were lodged with the European Commission last week and authorities, North and South, expect to conclude negotiations with the Commission before the end of the year. This will pave the way for the launch of the programme early in 2002. Application forms will be available at the time of the launch accompanied by a region-wide information campaign.
The total EU contribution to the programme is 134.411 million – £105.8 million – of which 53.6 million – £42.2 million – is in respect of the Border region. Matching national contributions, North and South, amount to some 44.8 million – £35.3 million – of which 17.9 million – £14.1 million – will be contributed by the Exchequer. The programme is being managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and will be implemented by a range of Departments, North and South, and locally based partnerships comprising the three cross-Border networks of local authorities, the social partners and relevant statutory agencies.
