asked the Minister for the Environment whether there is scope for an application for European funding to assist general recreation and amenity projects advanced by local authorities; or if European fund money is restricted to infrastructure for productive or tourist uses.
Written Answers. - European Regional Development Fund.
103.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Council Regulation EC No. 2052/88 of 24 June 1988 provides that the ERDF shall provide support for: (a) productive investment; (b) the creation or modernisation of infrastructures which contribute to the development of conversation of the region concerned; and (c) measures to exploit the potential for internally generated development of the regions concerned.
Assistance from the Community is being sought, for the most part, on the basis of operational programmes at present being finalised. In so far as my Department are concerned, two operational programmes dealing with roads and sanitary and other local services are being prepared. These programmes do not provide for general recreational and amenity projects. The details of any ERDF assistance for tourist projects are a matter for the Minister for Tourism and Transport.