asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the strong support expressed by EC Commissioner Millan at a meeting of the Regional Committee in Brussels on 21 September 1989, for the establishment of a genuine sub-regional structures to oversee the allocation of EC Structural Funds; if, in the light of Commissioner Millan's comments, the Government intends to review its position on such structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sub-Regional Structures.
51.
The Government have always recognised the importance of ensuring involvement at sub-regional level so that the increased support now available from the EC Structural Funds will be directed towards meeting the priority development needs identified at national, sub-regional and local level.
Although Ireland is one region for European Community purposes, the Government considered that proper preparation of the National Development Plan required comprehensive consulation at national, sub-regional and local levels. For this reason, the Government set up at a sub-regional level, special advisory and working groups representative of local authorities, the social partners and State agencies concerned with economic and social development. These groups played a major role in identifying development needs and priorities at sub-regional and local level, and provided a most valuable input to the planning process.
The Government also consider that the sub-regional groups should have a continued role in monitoring the implementation of the plan and supporting operational programmes. I am pleased to say that Commissioner Millan shares our view. Accordingly, the Community support framework which will govern allocations from the Structural Funds to 1993, and which has now been adopted by the Commission, will include provision for a close monitoring of implementation of the plan and programmes at sub-regional level.
The Community support framework provides that the sub-regional advisory and working groups will be merged to from sub-regional review committees. Government Departments responsible for overseeing operational programmes will be required to provide the review committees with regular reports detailing progress to date and proposed measures under the Structural Funds, in, or significantly affecting the sub-region concerned. My Department will have overall responsibility for ensuring that the review committees are kept properly informed. The review committees will be empowered to convey views on any aspect of implementation of the plan and programmes to the attention of a high level monitoring committee which will include representatives of the Commission, and which will be responsible for overseeing implementation of the Community support framework.