Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 2

Written Answers. - EC Initiatives.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

103 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of the various European Community initiatives that he has implemented in the period from 1989 to 1993 inclusive; the scope and extent of funding for each programme; if these programmes will be continued in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

Implementation of EC initiatives by my Department is detailed in the following schedule. In regard to future programmes the EC Commission has recently published a consultative document on Community initiatives in the 1994-99 period and its proposals are at present under consideration.

SCHEDULE

EC Initiatives implemented in the Transport, Energy and Communications Sectors.

EC Initiative	Description	Total Expenditure to Date	EC Grant to Date	Status
		£m	£m
REGEN	Assistance towards the cost of the Ireland/UK gas interconnector.	287.0	78.5	Initiative expires at the end of 1993.
Special Border Areas Programme	Assistance towards the cost of Dublin/Dundalk gas pipeline.	14.3	12.3	Initiative expired at the end of 1992.
VALOREN	Promotion of regional development by indigenous energy production.	34.6	18.4	Initiative formally closed on 31 October 1991.
STAR	Improvement of the telecommunications infrastructure in disadvantaged areas.	81.7	38.8	Initiative expired at the end of 1992.
TELEMATIQUE	Promotion of the use of advanced telecommunications services.	3.1	1.6	Initiative expires at the end of 1993.
SAVE	Promotion of efficient energy use.	0.6	0.3	Initiative is due to expire in 1996.
THERMIE	Demonstration and dissemination of energy technology.	8.4	7.4	Initiative is due to expire at the end of 1994.
EUROFORM	Customer service staff training in Aer Lingus.	0.4	0.2	Initiative expires at the end of 1993.
PERIFRA	Refurbishment of storage tanks at Whiddy Oil Terminal.	1.9	0.9	Project was completed at the end of 1992.
HORIZON	Pilot project involving the provision of scheduled bus services facilitating persons with disabilities and disadvantaged persons.	—	0.3	Initiative is due to commence in September, 1993 and has an intended duration of two years.
CAPE (Computer Aided Post in Europe)	Computerised system for handling international mails consignments.	1.0(approx.)	0.4	Initiative expires at the end of 1993.