andMr. P. Barry asked the Minister for Finance the amount of assistance received by Ireland in 1979 and 1980 under the quota section of the European Regional Development Fund; the use made of the money in each year, and the plans for its use in 1981; and if it is Government policy to promote the use of the fund for industry or for infrastructure.
Written Answers. - European Regional Development Fund.
7.
Ireland received £25.55 million from the quota section of the European Regional Development Fund in 1979. It is expected that £47 million will be received in 1980. The money is used to finance additional investment under the public capital programme, and no change in this arrangement is proposed for 1981. Under the fund regulation, the share of the overall assistance for general infrastructure throughout the Community may not exceed 70 per cent of the total and subject to this limitation it is the Government's policy to use the fund mainly for the improvement of infrastructure.
8.
andMr. P. Barry asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to avail himself of the new non-quota section of the European Regional Development Fund in 1980-81, if the money will be used solely for crossBorder projects, if applications from this fund may only be made through the Government, and if he favours the expansion of the non-quota section of the regional fund.
The answer to the first part of the Deputies' question is "yes". A Commission proposal, which has been discussed with my Department, is presently before the Council for a regulation instituting a special Community regional development measure contributing to the improvement of the economic and social situation on both sides of the Irish Border. The measures proposed by the Commission are designed to develop the tourist potential of those areas and to encourage the development of artisan enterprises. The duration of the programme shall be five years. As in the case of any action supported by the European Regional Fund requests for assistance under the non-quota section must be submitted by the member state and must be financed jointly by the Commission and the member state concerned.
I would not favour the expansion of the non-quota section as at present constituted. The criteria laid down for the type of measures that may be supported by the non-quota section are far too restrictive. I would expect, however, that the amended regulation for 1981 and subsequent years will provide for greater flexibility and in that event I will reconsider my attitude.