Austin Deasy
Ceist:35 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedure to be followed whereby interested groups and local authorities can obtain finance from the International Fund for Ireland. [3186/95]
Written Answers. - International Fund for Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware that, while the Chairman and members of the Board of the International Fund are appointed by the Irish and British Governments, they are required under the Agreements establishing the fund, to act independently in carrying out their functions. The board is therefore the ultimate decision-maker in respect of all applications submitted to the international fund.
The agreement establishing the fund states that because of the special problems in Northern Ireland associated with the instability of recent years, approximately three quarters of the resources of the fund shall be spent there. In the South, Counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth have been prioritised for fund assistance.
The fund, which has been in operation for eight years, has well established procedures, including a formal application form which prospective applicants and interested groups can follow.
As the international fund operates a range of programmes covering various sectoral areas, the Deputy will appreciate that the criteria of eligibility will vary according to the priorities established by the board of the fund in the various sectors. To assist the application process the fund has engaged the services of eight local development consultants across the twelve northern counties whose principal task is to assist prospective project promoters with their applications.
In addition, the fund's secretariat in Dublin and Belfast are available to assist prospective groups in making applications for assistance to the fund.
I have asked that the fund's secretariat might forward to the Deputy the relevant contact names and addresses.