asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the present status of the south-west regional development plan as submitted to the Government by the committee set up by him; and the projects of that submitted plan which will be funded in the coming year.
Written Answers. - South-West Regional Plan.
27.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the report prepared by the sub-regional working group for the south-west sub-region. This report, along with reports prepared by other sub-regional advisory and working groups, formed a major input to the preparation of the National Development Plan. The plan, which forms the basis of Ireland's application for assistance from the EC Structural Funds for the period to 1993, included summaries of the sub-regional reports which outline the priorities for economic and social development identified at sub-regional level.
The various project proposals identified by the south-west sub-regional working group were referred for further consideration to the Departments responsible for drawing up sectoral operational programmes. The operational programmes will detail the development measures for which EC Structural Fund aid will be made available. The draft programmes are under discussion with the EC Commission and should be finalised shortly. Details of proposed measures will be provided in the operational programmes, which will be published following their approval by the Commission.