Bernard Allen
Ceist:75 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the number of extra new jobs which have been created in recent years through the EC Structural Funding grants; and the amount allocated to date through this fund.
Written Answers. - EC Structural Funding.
Under the Community Support Framework 1989-1993, Ireland has received a commitment of EC aid amounting to £2.86 billion (1989 prices) over the 1989-93 period. Additional aid under Community initiatives has brought the total commitment to Ireland to over £3 billion. Of this amount, £1.7 billion relates to the three years to end-1991, with the balance arising in 1992 and 1993.
These Community funds are having a significant impact in strengthening the basic capacity of the Irish economy. It is estimated that the increase in Community support negotiated in 1989 has boosted annual growth by approximately ¼ per cent to ½ per cent. It has also resulted in higher employment than would otherwise have been possible and it was a key factor in the net increase of 39,000 nonagricultural jobs in the two years to April 1991 — the latest date for which figures are available.