Vol. 280 No. 7
andMr. Gallagher asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that considerable confusion exists concerning the procedure to be adopted in applications for grants from the EEC Regional Fund; and if, for the benefit of individual firms, local community councils and bodies representing wider areas he will state (a) the Department to which such applications should be sent (b) whether copies should be forwarded to any EEC agency and (c) the procedure to be followed generally.
46.
asked the Minister for Finance the Departments and the agencies that will be involved in decision making concerning the administration of the Regional Fund; and the aspect for which each will be responsible.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
My Department will co-ordinate the submission and processing of this country's applications for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. It is a pre-condition of assistance from the regional fund that public authorities in the member states must participate in the financing of any project in respect of which an application for assistance is made. Projects to be submitted to the European Regional Development Fund will, therefore, be drawn from activities already qualifying for State expenditure. The relevant EEC regulation provides that fund assistance may only be given for investments costing more than £20,833 and which are of the following types:
(1) Industrial, handicraft or service activities which create ten new jobs at least or maintain existing employment.
(2) Expenditure on infrastructure, which is either directly related to these activities or an essential pre-condition for them.
(3) Investment in infrastructure on mountain and hill farming and farming in less favoured regions, for instance, access roads to farms, electricity and drinking water and, in tourist areas, disposal of sewage.
Suitable projects which meet these criteria will be selected by my Department in consultation with the other Government Departments and agencies involved, that is to say, the Department of Local Government and the Industrial Development Authority.
I wish to make it quite clear that the selection of a particular project for assistance will not increase the level of aid already being paid to that project. It will simply be the means of obtaining assistance from the fund to increase our total industrial and infrastructural investment effort particularly in less developed areas. Proposals for assistance from the increased resources which will thereby be available to the State should be submitted to the appropriate Government Department or agency directly concerned with the project. It will not be necessary to forward a copy to any EEC agency as this will be done by my Department.
The Minister's answer is long and comprehensive. The subject matter of the questions is causing grave concern in my constituency and for this reason I ask the indulgence of the Chair to permit me to ask supplementaries on the Minister's reply tomorrow?
That would not be in order.
Can the Minister tell me whether the Asahi project and the infrastructure necessary for that project in the north Mayo area will receive the finance necessary from the regional fund or from the Exchequer?
I am not quite certain of the import of the Deputy's question but he may be assured that all State aid necessary to promote such infrastructural development in north Mayo or anywhere else will be provided, irrespective of any assistance which may be received from the regional fund.
Can the Minister give me a definite answer as to whether the money that is necessary will be made available to Mayo County Council, to Ballina Urban District Council, and other agencies, in the north Mayo region to ensure that the development taking place there will get off the ground?
The Deputy may be assured that all funds necessary to enable such projects to get off the ground will be provided. As I pointed out on innumerable occasions the amount of such funds being paid by our Exchequer far exceeds anything which will be received from the EEC Regional Fund. We would not wish to have any of these projects delayed pending receipt of moneys from the regional fund.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I wish to give notice of my intention to raise the subject matter of these questions on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
