I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
"Closing off" a Cohesion Fund scheme is an administrative arrangement between the national authorities and the European Commission whereby the Commission limit their commitment to co-financing a scheme, or stage of a scheme, at a given level of expenditure. The procedure has not been used to date but two schemes that have been delayed at planning stage, namely the Westport and Tramore sewerage schemes, are currently in the process of being closed off. The Westport and Tramore sewerage schemes, are currently in the process of being closed off. This procedure does not, in itself, affect future applications for the co-financing of further stages of the schemes nor does it affect the overall level of Cohesion funding available in Ireland.
Cohesion Funding of £2.2 million was approved by the European Commission for stage 1 of the Westport sewerage scheme in March 1994; to date, a total of £912,000 has been received from the Commission towards expenditure on Stage 1. The final level of eligible expenditure for Stage 1 has yet to be agreed with the Commission.