Vol. 503 No. 3
386 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has failed to spend millions of pounds in EU funds for improving group water schemes, hazardous waste programmes as well as other environmental measures as reported in a Sunday newspaper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/99]
The operational programme for environmental services provides for the investment of £92.459 million of which £57.155 million is being provided by the European Regional Development Fund, over the period 1994-99, in water and waste services, coastal protection works and environmental monitoring, research and development. Its main investment objectives are to strengthen the long-term infrastructural base of the economy, protect natural resources which are a basis for economic growth, meet identified servicing needs and develop greater environmental R&D capacity.
The EU funding is available to the end of the operational programme – payments may be made to the end of the year 2000. Almost all the available money has been allocated and while some underspend, up to 1998 has been reported on specific measures within the programme, I anticipate that all available funding will be fully expended by programme end.
