asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to establish the advisory and working groups for the seven sub-regions of Ireland for the preparation of the National Development Plan for the EC Structural Funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sub-Regional Review Committees.
33.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the sub-regional review committees provided for in the Community support framework.
The sub-regional review committees comprise the existing sub-regional working and advisory groups, which were established by the Government to assist with the preparation of the National Development Plan. The Government considered that the committees should be retained to ensure sub-regional monitoring of implementation of the plan and supporting operational programmes. The EC Commission agreed to this proposal and, accordingly, the Community support framework, which governs disbursements from the Structural Funds to 1993, provides that the sub-regional working and advisory groups be merged to form sub-regional review committees. These review committees will be responsible for monitoring implementation of operational programmes at a sub-regional level.
The committees will be convened as soon as the operational programmes, which are currently being finalised in discussion with the Commission, are approved in accordance with the terms of the Community support framework.