asked the Minister for Finance if any request has been made by the Irish Government for direct payments to be made to Irish local authorities from the EC Regional Fund.
Written Answers. - EC Regional Fund.
131.
Payments from the European Regional Development Fund are made to the Exchequer as a recoupment of Exchequer expenditure on approved projects. These receipts are used to increase the overall level of Exchequer resources available for capital investment in the Public Capital Programme.
European Regional Fund assistance for infrastructural development is reflected in the level of financing for roads and water supply and sewerage which is provided each year to local authorities. It is considered that this is the most efficient use of ERDF resources.