asked the Minister for Finance if he considers that Ireland's 1983 share of 5.94 per cent of the European Regional Development Fund is likely to make a substantial contribution to redressing the imbalances in Ireland's regional development vis-à-vis its community partners especially in the light of Great Britain's share of 23.80 per cent of the fund, Greece's share of 13 per cent and Italy's share of 35.49 per cent; the representations the Government intends to make to our EEC partners on this vital question.
Written Answers. - European Regional Development Fund.
450.
It has been recognised by successive Irish Governments since the establishment of the European Regional Development Fund in 1975 that the resources at its disposal were inadequate to make a major contribution to redressing regional imbalances within the Community. Ireland has continually pressed for increased resources for the fund. Ireland's present quota under the fund, which, together with the quotas of other member states, was revised in 1980 to take account of Greece's accession to the Communities, was set by reference mainly to relative population size and GDP per capita.
Under the terms of a revision of the Fund Regulation, which will come into operation on 1 January 1985, the existing system of national quotas will be replaced by a system of "indicative ranges". In Ireland's case the new system will provide for a guaranteed minimum share of the fund equivalent to the present quota and for a maximum of 6.83 per cent of the fund.