I accept that delays are being experienced in providing advances of European Social Funds to project promoters in this joint Ireland-Wales EU-supported initiative. These are due to the need, on the one hand, for full compatibility between financial applications, from both jurisdictions, when processed in Brussels and, on the other, to a number of problems experienced by the Cardiff and-or London authorities.
Our Department has had frequent contact with all concerned promoters on the Irish side, has drawn the nature of the delays to the attention of both the European Commission and the Department of Finance, which has overall Irish responsibility for this initiative and has had several meetings in Brussels, Cardiff and Dublin in efforts to help resolve these matters.
Unfortunately, given the joint nature of this case, funding arrangements for the Irish promoters of projects cannot be made separate from those on the UK side. I am hopeful that the European Commission may soon be able to give a favourable decision to joint proposals, before it on this initiative, but I cannot guarantee such. I can assure the Deputy however that our Department is continuing to make every effort in this regard. To be of assistance, our Department has been in touch with all of the Irish promoters concerned, to offer whatever assistance is possible, for example, by way of letters of comfort. The funding approved will not be jeopardised by the delays and the amounts approved will be honoured in full.
