Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Funding.

John Bruton

Ceist:

12 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the funds, if any, her Department or agencies under its aegis are receiving from the community support framework of the EU; and if so, the steps, if any, she is taking to ensure that the private sector is allowed to participate in tendering for grants under the operational programme on the basis of criteria set down in advance as agreed as part of the mid-term review of the community support framework. [22701/97]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

As I explained to the Deputy in response to Question No. 288 of 16 December 1997 my Department is charged with the administration of European Regional Development Fund funds in (1) subprogramme one of the Tourism Operational Programme, (2) the Industry Operational Programme in respect of expenditure by Údarás na Gaeltachta and the film industry and (3) the Fisheries Operational Programme in respect of specific marine works in the Gaeltacht. The total funding involved is of the order of IR£220 million.

The reference in the mid-term review of the CSF to ensuring that the private sector is allowed to participate in tendering processes is not relevant to my Department. It relates to the Economic Infrastructure OP for which I have no direct responsibility. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that all tendering procedures are operated by my Department in strict accordance with relevant EU and national regulations.