Vol. 433 No. 2
123 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the various European Community initiatives that she 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 she will make a statement on the matter.
The areas covered by the Deputy's question are extremely broad and even to list all the various programmes/initiatives and their project activities would require a substantial text. Much of the information sought by the Deputy is contained in a recently published booklet sponsored by my Department called "CONASC". I will arrange for a copy to be sent to the Deputy and a copy to be placed in the Oireachtas Library.
CONASC outlines Irish involvement in the EC programmes such as Erasmus, Comett, Lingua, Petra, Eurydice, Helios etc. in the education and training area as well as the programmes for Youth Exchanges and Young Workers. The activities involving the European Social Fund are also summarised.
The current round of European Structural Funds terminates at the end of 1993 and the preparations for the new National Development Plan for submission to the Commission are at an advanced stage. Many of the non-ESF funded programmes such as Erasmus, Comett and Lingua are due to finish their current operational places at the end of 1994.
I will seek to maximise Irish participation in EC education and training programmes in the future and to ensure the largest possible share of EC funding for Irish education and training in the negotiations on the next phase of the European Social Fund.
I will be happy to make appropriate details available to the Deputy in relation to specific EC programmes/initiatives which come within the remit of my Department.
