Vol. 442 No. 5
95 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if, as outlined in the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, the out-turn to Ireland from all structural and cohesion fund sources in respect of 1993 was £1.081 billion; and if this figure was not achieved or was exceeded, he will give details of the amount.
The most recent available figure for EC aid in 1993, corresponding to the £1.081 billion figure referred to by the Deputy, is £1.072 billion (1993 prices).
It might be noted that this figure will be subject to adjustment according as programmes, related to Community Support Framework 1989-1993, are completed during 1994.
96 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if, with regard to the Community Support Framework 1994 to 1999 portion of Structural Funds, disregarding any changes occasioned by the mid-term review, the amount to accrue to Ireland will be 5.62 billion ECUs at constant 1994 prices equivalent at current exchange rates to 4.44 billion, 5.42 billion ECUs at 1993 prices or 4.28 billion.
97 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the Cohesion Fund, if he expects the £1.03 billion at 1993 prices, provided for in the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, to accrue to Ireland over the period 1994 to 1999; and if he will give details of any expected variation from this projection.
98 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance the amount, either as a percentage of the total available or as an absolute figure, that he expects to accrue to Ireland from Community Initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 98 together.
As the Deputy is aware Community Support Frameworks are broad statements of priorities and commitments and the indicative amounts of Community assistance contained in them may be subject to adjustment during the implementation period. For Ireland, the CSF amount expressed in 1994 prices is 5.62 billion ECU or IR£4.54 billion, using the central rate for the IR£-ECU
As regards the Cohesion Fund the position is in line with the National Development Plan. Cohesion Fund resources over the period 1994-99 are expected to be over IR£1 billion in 1994 prices. This is based on the expectations of a 9 per cent share of the Cohesion Fund for 1994-99 in line with the share which Ireland obtained in 1993.
In relation to Community Initiatives it should be noted that the EU's amended Structural Fund regulations stipulate that 9 per cent of the commitment appropriations for the Structural Funds shall be devoted to funding Community Initiatives. No allocations to member states have yet been made. However, Ireland expects to get a share in line with its CSF share.
