Vol. 457 No. 2
72 Mr. Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the arrangements for the disbursement of grant-aid under the special support programme for peace and reconciliation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15212/95]
The special EU Peace Programme provides for a new five-year Community Initiative for Northern Ireland and the southern Border counties. Funding of 300 MECU, of IR£240 million approximately is allocated for the first three years of the initiative.
Northern Ireland and the Border counties will receive respectively, a maximum of 80 per cent and a minimum of 20 per cent of the total funding. For the six Border counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo this will amount to EU funding of £48 million approximately.
The arrangements and procedures for the disbursement of financial assistance under the special support programme for Peace and Reconciliation are set out in the Decision adopted by the Commission on 26 July of this year.
These arrangements were the subject of agreement between the Commission and the Irish and British Governments, based on a Joint Operational Programme.
The two Governments and the Commission were agreed that there should be the maximum degree of local input into the decision-making process. The EU Peace Programme is an imaginative response to the needs of Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The means of delivery of the programme should be those which are most appropriate to the actions envisaged and the local circumstances in the eligible areas. This view received strong endorsement at the various consultative conferences and submissions from the voluntary and community sector.
The special nature of this programme demanded that new funding mechanisms should be devised to ensure the fullest local involvement. Where appropriate and to the fullest extent practicable, delivery of the measures under the programme will be implemented through the use of intermediary bodies, in addition to central and local government and State agencies.
