Bertie Ahern
Ceist:3 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if the GNP, GDP and GNDI per capita figures for Ireland in 1995 are available; and, if so, if he will express them in pounds, dollars and ECUs. [2168/97]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers - National Income.
I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing GNP, GDP and GNDI per capita for Ireland in 1995. The statement shows the relevant figures, both on the basis published nationally, following the introduction of an updated methodology for the national income report last year, and also on the former ESA79 basis which is used by member states for reporting results to the EU Commission. The figures are preliminary estimates and will be updated over the next couple of years as further annual reports on national income and expenditure are published.
Following is the statement.
Ireland 1995
GNP, GDP and GNDI 1995 (National definition)
|
Pounds |
Dollars |
ECU's |
|
|
£ |
$ |
||
|
GNP per capita |
9,394 |
15,068 |
11,522 |
|
GDP per capita |
10,733 |
17,214 |
13,163 |
|
GNDI per capita |
9,703 |
15,562 |
11,901 |
Ireland 1995
GNP, GDP and GNDI 1995 (ESA 79 basis)
|
Pounds |
Dollars |
ECU's |
|
|
£ |
$ |
||
|
GNP per capita |
9,636 |
15,456 |
11,819 |
|
GDPper capita |
11,155 |
17,892 |
13,681 |
|
GNDI per capita |
9,945 |
15,951 |
12,198 |
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Does he agree that, while our productivity per head of population may now be well ahead of that in Britain and Northern Ireland, as was recently stated in the House by the Minister for Finance, living standards and personal disposable income still have a long way to go? Will he confirm that is the case? Does he agree that until the disparity in tax rates between Ireland and Northern Ireland and the UK is ironed out we will have great difficulty in catching up with these statistics?
Let us avoid entering into the area of policy.
Can I get confirmation of the fact?
I agree that we are straying into the area of policy. However, the figures speak for themselves. For example, the national definition of GNP per capita in 1995 was £9,394; GDP was £10,733 and GNDI was £9,703. Using the old basis of ESA79, which is to be updated shortly, GNP was £9,636, GDP was £11,155 and GNDI was £9,945. Comparison with other countries is the subject of the next question. I will be glad to give the comparative figures on that basis.
Bertie Ahern
Ceist:4 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will give the position of Ireland, Northern Ireland and other UK regions in the table of regions published by the EU's statistical services for the latest year for which such figures are available. [2169/97]
I presume that the Deputy's question in relation to the table of the regions refers to the income per capita in those regions, which is the subject he addressed by way of supplementary question.
The latest definitive EU comparative figures for GDP per capita at regional level relate to 1993. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing GDP per capita for Ireland, Northern Ireland and the regions with the UK for the year 1993.
GDP per capita in Ireland in 1993 was £13,191; it was £15,717 in the United Kingdom and £12,559 in Northern Ireland. We are pitched between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. I am sure the Deputy does not want to go into the statistics now, but the table also shows the regional breakdown. In terms of GDP per capita in 1993, based on the EUR of 15 equalling 100, Ireland rates 83, while the United Kingdom rates 99 and Northern Ireland rates 79.
Following is the statement.
GDP per capita in 1993 for Ireland, UK and Regions within the UK
|
GDP per capita 1993 (PPS) |
GDP per capita 1993 (PPS) EUR=100 |
|
|
Ireland |
13,191 |
83 |
|
United Kingdom |
15,717 |
99 |
|
Cleveland, Durham |
13,105 |
83 |
|
Cumbria |
17,641 |
111 |
|
Northumberland, Tyne and Weir |
13,705 |
86 |
|
Humberside |
15,159 |
96 |
|
North Yorkshire |
15,753 |
99 |
|
South Yorkshire |
12,641 |
80 |
|
West Yorkshire |
14,800 |
93 |
|
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire |
14,313 |
90 |
|
Leics., Northamptonshire |
15,653 |
99 |
|
Lincolnshire |
13,831 |
87 |
|
East Anglia |
16,040 |
101 |
|
Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire |
16,081 |
101 |
|
Berks., Bucks., Oxfordshire |
18,332 |
116 |
|
Surrey, East-West Sussex |
15,165 |
96 |
|
Essex |
13,043 |
82 |
|
Greater London |
22,879 |
144 |
|
Hampshire, Isle of Wight |
15,899 |
100 |
|
Kent |
14,639 |
92 |
|
Avon, Gloucs., Wiltshire |
16,604 |
105 |
|
Cornwall, Devon |
13,126 |
83 |
|
Dorset, Somerset |
14,361 |
91 |
|
Hertfordshire-Worcs., Warwick |
14,006 |
88 |
|
Shropshire, Staffordshire |
13,536 |
85 |
|
West Midlands (County) |
15,118 |
95 |
|
Cheshire |
16,260 |
103 |
|
Greater Manchester |
14,542 |
92 |
|
Lancashire |
14,589 |
92 |
|
Merseyside |
11,741 |
74 |
|
Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys |
12,855 |
81 |
|
Gwent, Mid-S-W Glamorgan |
13,590 |
86 |
|
Bord.-Centr.-Fife-Loth.-Tay |
15,486 |
98 |
|
Dumfr.-Galloway, Strathelyde |
14,327 |
90 |
|
Highlands, Islands |
13,946 |
88 |
|
Grampian |
21,276 |
134 |
|
Northern Ireland |
12,559 |
79 |
I am glad these figures do not relate to a company in which my personal money is tied up because we are being given 1993 figures in the spring of 1997. I do not expect the Minister of State to physically collect the figures himself but perhaps he could tell me why such basic economic data, which should be available for 1995, is so back dated?
Will the Minister of State ask the CSO to give us the GNDI per capita figures for the UK and Northern Ireland for 1995? Figures from 1993 are far removed from what I was looking for. There is no point is using figures which date back so far.
I appreciate that it is desirable to have more up to date figures when making analyses and projections. We are doing our best to ensure the figures are brought up to date. It has been a perennial problem that we have always been in arrears in that regard. I will get those GNDI figures for the Deputy. Unfortunately, all I have at the moment is the GDP figures.
Bertie Ahern
Ceist:5 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach whether notifications of grant-aid assistance under the local development fund have issued for 1997; and, if so, if he will give details in this regard. [2763/97]
Applications for grant aid under the 1997 scheme of once-off grants in support of local development will be invited shortly, by way of public advertisement, from groups working in disadvantaged areas in cities and towns with a population of over 2,000. It is anticipated that applications will be received by end February and that, following their assessment, offers of assistance will be made by end March.
As the total sum that has been provided for the scheme in 1997 is limited to £250,000, the successful applicants are likely to be those who are looking for small grants to complete the financing package of projects that will be fully completed in 1997, and that clearly contribute to the local development process in the local community.
I thank the Minister of State for that information. Can the Minister of State indicate whether there will be a change in the criteria for grant applications for 1997? He will recall that last year he said he was examining the possibility of some modifications in the scheme for 1997. Will the Minister say how much grant assistance he has available to allocate under the scheme for 1997?
The amount I have to allocate for 1997 is £250,000. The criteria laid down include the level of disadvantage in the area, the impact of the grant on the community, how the project complements other development activities in the area——
Government TDs.
——usually the maximum grant of 75 per cent of reckonable costs, the sponsors' capacity to carry through a project successfully and ability to satisfy accounting and accountability requirements of the Department. Those general criteria are used.
Is there a maximum amount for communities seeking assistance?
There is not a maximum figure but since only £250,000 is available no huge amounts will be allocated. However, I will not make a decision until I see the applications received. I do not anticipate enormous grants because the overall sum is small.
They will be spread around among the boys or anybody under attack.