Vol. 398 No. 6
19 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Finance when he or his Department have been in formal contact with the seven working parties and advisory groups set up to prepare Irelands National Plan for EC Structural Funds; the number of such communications; and if any meetings of the reconstituted groups/parties/ committees have been held; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The subregional advisory and working groups were established by the Government to assist in the preparation of the National Development Plan. These groups played a major role in identifying development needs and priorities at subregional and local level and provided a valuable input to the planning process. The groups completed their task in March 1989 when the National Development Plan was finalised for submission to the EC Commission.
In the discussions between the Government and the EC Commission on the plan and supporting operational programmes, the importance of subregional involvement in monitoring the implementation of Structural Fund aided measures was recognised. The Community Support Framework subsequently adopted by the EC Commission, to govern the provision of Structural Fund aid to Ireland, specifically provides for the establishment of subregional review committees. The subregional review committees will broadly comprise the previous subregional advisory and working groups. The subregional review committees will be regularly informed and consulted about the implementation of Structural Fund aided measures in, or significantly affecting, the subregions concerned. My Department will be responsible for ensuring that the subregional review committees are kept properly informed. Nominations have been sought from the various bodies to be represented on the subregional review committees and it is envisaged that they will be convened as soon as the operational programmes have been approved by the EC Commission.
(Limerick East): When does the Minister think he will be in a position to announce the allocation of Structural Funds on a project by project basis as distinct from a programme basis?
In any particular area?
(Limerick East): The projects which constitute any particular programme, for instance, tourism.
Bord Fáilte are the legally appointed agents of the commission in relation to Structural Funds for tourism projects and they will make their own announcements in due course: they are imminent as far as I know.
Has the Minister any information in regard to the redefining of Ireland's status for structural funding from objective one status?
There is a question on that subject from the leader of Deptuty Mac Giolla's party later on the agenda, but in case we do not reach it I can tell him it is a lot of rubbish. I do not know where he got that sort of nonsense from because there is no evidence around to suggest it.
