Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 5

Written Answers. - EC Structural Funds Allocation.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

66 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to carry out a revision of the method of allocation of EC Structural Funds to provide greater involvement for regional and community interests; if pressure for such a revision has been exerted by the European Commission; if consideration has been given to involvement of regional and community interests in drawing up submissions for the next Structural Fund programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (The Taoiseach)

I have no plans to revise the method of allocation of EC Structural Fund aid as provided for in the Community Support Framework agreed with the EC Commission to cover the period 1989 to 1993. I have received no request from the EC Commission to carry out a revision.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland is treated as one region for the purposes of the EC Structural Fund Regulations. Accordingly, the Community Support Framework provides for the allocation of aid to sectoral programmes drawn up at national level by the relevant Ministers and departments, and approved by the EC Commission. The Community Support Framework and supporting programmes were prepared following extensive consultation with sub-regional committees which were established by the Government to ensure that the needs and priorities of all areas would be given full consideration in the context of the National Development Plan which formed the basis of our application for Structural Fund aid.

This process of consultation with sub-regional interests has been developed further through the establishement, under the Community Support Framework, of sub-regional review committees comprising representatives of local authorities, the social partners, Government Departments and the EC Commission. These review committees meet regularly to receive and consider progress reports and financial statements on progress in implementing the Structural Fund measures. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the sub-regional review committees are working effectively and the EC Commission is satisfied with these monitoring arrangements.

The nature of the involvement of regional and community interests in drawing up submissions for the next round of the Structural Funds is being considered in the light of experience under the Community Support Framework and will be finalised in the light of general arrangements for the post 1993 Structural Fund programmes.