Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

68 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the difficulties, if any, which have been experienced to date with applications and grants in respect of the administration and disbursement of EU Peace and Reconciliation funding in view of the fact that while groups in the State are willing to participate in schemes under this funding, groups in Northern Ireland have declined to participate; if he will give details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

There have been no particular difficulties experienced in dealing with applications under the Special EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in the Border countries of Ireland, and I am not aware of any difficulties in Northern Ireland. If the Deputy has any specific instance in mind perhaps he would let me have details. As the Deputy knows, much of the programme, North and South, is delivered through the medium of intermediary funding bodies. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Personnel in Belfast, has responsibility for the overall monitoring and co-ordination of the programme.

A report on progress under the programme will be presented to the programme's monitoring committee next week and I will arrange to have details circulated for information shortly.