James Leonard
Ceist:70 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the benefits of the INTERREG Programme to agriculture in Border counties.
Written Answers. - INTERREG Programme.
The INTERREG Programme is designed to assist the local populations of the internal border areas of the European Community to overcome the disadvantages arising from their relative isolation within national economies and within the EC as a whole. It aims to stimulate local economic activity by providing financial assistance through various themes covering tourism, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environmental protection as well as regional and human resource development.
The INTERREG Programme was prepared jointly by the authorities in Northern Ireland and in Dublin and applies to the Six Northern Counties and to Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth on the southern side.
The programme which runs to the end of 1993 provides for a total expenditure in Ireland in excess of £100 million with £58 million being provided through Interreg and the balance from national and local contributions. The range of measures which will be eligible under the agricultural part of the programme covers projects involving improvement of animal, avian and plant health, anti-pollution measures, assisting community development and measures related to horticulture. I expect the Commission to adopt the criteria for selection of individual projects in the near future and this will clear the way for consideration of applications for aid under the Interreg Programme.
I am convinced that the assistance which the INTERREG Programme will provide in the Border region will result in the creation of much needed enterprise which will augment farm incomes and the local economy generally.