Vol. 440 No. 7
43 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total financial allocation under the National Development Plan, 1994 to 1999 for areas for which his Department has responsibility; the allocation following the overall cut of 8.5 per cent announced by the Government on 3 March 1994; the way in which this will be applied to the projects for which he has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total financial allocation in the National Development Plan for services within my Department's area of responsibility was about £680 million at 1993 prices. Deputies will be aware of the decision of the Government to effect a pro rata cut in the amount of EU Structural Funds available to Departments. However, as the Government is still in negotiation with the European Commission on the basis of these revised figures, I am unable at this stage to give definitive figures on what the final allocation will be for my Department.
As Deputies will appreciate the selection of individual projects to be assisted under the National Development Plan will only take place after the Community support framework and the associated operational programmes have been agreed. Consequently, it is not possible at this stage to indicate how reduced amounts of EU aid will affect individual projects in the tourism and trade areas.
