Bertie Ahern
Ceist:54 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on any significant Government initiatives taken in relation to the six southern Border counties in 1996. [23994/96]
Written Answers. - Border Counties.
I would remind the Deputy that the Government has consistently supported initiatives aimed at promoting the economic regeneration of the Border counties, North-South economic co-operation, and consolidation of the peace process.
The International Fund for Ireland was established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986, with the aim of promoting economic and social advance in Northern Ireland and the Border counties, and encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between all communities throughout Ireland. The fund has received contributions from the European Union, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The fund has already provided a total of £300 million overall, of which approximately £90 million was allocated to the Border counties.
The Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, established by the European Union in 1995, is aimed at Northern Ireland and the Border counties. It involves a total EU expenditure of approximately £240 million over three years. At least £48 million of this funding is available for the Border counties.
The Joint Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme, established under the Structural Funds, has approved EU funding for the Border counties for the six years 1994-99, of approximately £72 million. In addition to the EU funding, the Government is committed to the provision of matching funding. The total amount of public funding available, therefore, to the Border counties under this programme, exceeds £100 million.
I might also mention that the EU Community Support Framework for Ireland, 1994-99 includes a commitment to maximise the opportunity for beneficial co-operation with Northern Ireland. The scope for intensifying this co-operation will be addressed in the mid-term review of the CSF which is under way, and which is due for completion around the middle of 1997.
In addition, the US Government has supported the peace process through measures to develop trade and investment between the United States and the region. President Clinton held the White House Conference on trade and investment in May 1995. The US Department of Commerce held a further economic conference in Pittsburgh in October. Both conferences were successful in helping to encourage business partnerships between US and Irish companies.
In order to assist people applying for these various funding programmes in the Border region, the Taoiseach, in February of last year, asked the Minister with responsibility for western development and rural renewal, Deputy Carey, to chair a task force on funding arrangements in the region. The task force reported to the Government in July, and the Government accepted its recommendations. The recommendations are designed to make the application process as clear and simple as possible for people applying for funding in the region.
In December last, Minister Carey hosted an information seminar in Monaghan, on the range of funding programmes available. The seminar also gave people an opportunity to identify better ways of co-ordination and collaboration across programmes, and to identify opportunities for cross-Border co-operation.
The range of activities I have outlined indicates that the Government has consistently supported initiatives aimed at actively promoting economic regeneration of the Border counties. North-South economic co-operation, and consolidation of the peace process. I can assure the Deputy that these initiatives will be continued, and be vigorously promoted by the Government, to ensure that the maximum possible benefit is realised.