Vol. 561 No. 1
310 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if money was spent by Mayo County Council on its application for funding for a marina under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan; and if this money has been refunded. [3383/03]
Mayo County Council submitted a total of three applications for funding in respect of separate marina projects under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan. These applications were for marina projects at Ballina, Blacksod and Westport, County Mayo. I can confirm that applicants did not have to pay an application fee when submitting their applications for funding. Under the terms of the scheme, there is no provision for refunding any costs incurred by applicants in connnection with grant applications.
311 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will clarify, in respect of the payment approved of ?94,276 to Westport Harbour Commissioners in December 2002, the meaning of matured liabilities; the items upon which this money was spent; the purpose of the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3628/03]
As the Deputy may be aware, Westport Harbour Commissioners and Mayo County Council have submitted a joint application for grant aid funding in respect of the integrated development plan for Westport Harbour. The application is made under the disengagement sub-measure of the seaports measure of the Border, midlands and western regional operational programme 2000 to 2006. The payment of €94,276 made by my Department to Westport Harbour Commissioners in December 2002 was in respect of expenditure incurred on the preparation and the implementation of the integrated development plan up to November 2002 and related to: professional fees in relation to the preparation of the integrated development plan and a feasibility study; project development costs including part of the salary of a marine engineer, boat hire costs and general administration expenses; and infrastructure work in the harbour, improvements to the navigational channel and lighting. Under the public financial procedures a liability is considered to be mature when the goods or services have been provided satisfactorily and the supplier has submitted the account subject to any credit terms.
