Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 1

Written Answers. - ERDF Gas Pipeline.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

40 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the present position in relation to grant aid from the ERDF gas pipeline fund for Cavan County Council which was indicated at £800,000 earlier this year; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cavan County Council has commenced work on foot of the provision made and are now concerned due to the delay in payment.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The special border areas programme 1986-1990 provides for aid from the European Regional Development Fund for energy and tourism measures. Of the total ERDF aid of £24.75 million available under the programme, £5 million is being held in reserve to cover the possible extension of a natural gas supply westwards from Dundalk if this is found to be viable. Any part of this £5 million not used for this purpose is to be real-located to finance measures under the tourism-based part of the programme.

The steering committee for the programme is at present considering the results of a feasibility study on the western extension of the gas supply. In the light of that examination, a decision is expected to be taken shortly on the question of the allocation of the £5 million reserve.

While discussions have been held with the local authorities about measures that might be financed under the programme in the event of the reallocation of aid to the tourism-based part of the programme, no allocations to individual counties have been made as the issue of reallocation of funds within the programme has yet to be resolved.