Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

506 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects agreed by his Department to go ahead on the INTERREG programme, first announced in early 2002; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient progress is being made with this important EU initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3274/03]

My Department shares joint responsibility for two of the measures in the INTERREG III Ireland-Northern Ireland Programme, Priority 1, measure 4 on rural development with my Northern Ireland counterpart, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, and on Priority 3, measure 1 concerning the development of cross-Border community infrastructure with my Northern Ireland counterpart the Department of Social Development, Northern Ireland.

There are no projects agreed with our counterparts on either measure as they are not yet open for application. The strategic focus of the rural initiative measure is on the development of integrated area based strategies to address rural disadvantage. The measure is aimed at area based cross-Border regeneration groups which can be developed, managed, administered and delivered jointly in 4/5 small geographically defined areas of rural disadvantage. The implementation of the measure involves a two stage process, the first being a call for potential cross border partnerships to come forward with proposals for their areas with the successful partnerships then going on to develop the strategies for their areas. The second stage of the process will involve the partnerships making a call for projects in their respective areas.

Officials of my Department and of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland are working closely to progress the measure and on developing eligibility – selection criteria to guide the partnerships. These are in the process of being finalised and it anticipated that the call for partnerships will be made within the coming weeks.

Priority 3, measure, 1 which relates to the development of cross-Border community infrastructure, is not yet open to applications as the arrangements for implementation of the measure have not been finalised.

Top
Share