Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:78 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the special compensatory measures and funding, if any, he will introduce for deprived urban and rural areas left outside the proposed new Objective One region. [5780/99]
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:80 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to ensure that areas of disadvantage located outside the Objective One region are not further disadvantaged by the Government's decision on sub-regionalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10203/99]
John Browne
Ceist:84 Mr. Browne (Carlow/Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Finance if he will report progress on the preparations for the national plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10022/99]
Seán Ryan
Ceist:97 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if the Objective One regions will receive a higher proportionate share of total spending including national and Structural Fund sourced funds during the next financial perspective than they did during the current period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10202/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:310 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the role played by his Department in formulating the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 80, 84, 97 and 310 together.
The drafting of the National Development Plan, NDP, which is being co-ordinated in my Department is taking place in partnership with Government Departments, regional authorities and the social partners. Submissions have been received on the NDP from Government Departments, the existing regional authorities and the social partners and bilateral meetings to discuss those submissions have been held by my Department. I also met with the Irish Assembly of Regional Authorities and representatives of the four social partner pillars in January to discuss their submissions on the NDP. Additional infor mal meetings involving Government Departments and the European Commission have also been held as part of the process. I have also indicated to the Committee on Finance and the Public Service that I would welcome a submission from it on the plan.
The ESRI ex-ante evaluation of the NDP has also been received by me and I am expecting formal receipt shortly of the Fitzpatrick Associates NUTS II Regional Strategies commissioned by the groups of regional authorities which will comprise the two new NUTS II regions. The ESRI report, the regional strategies and the general strategy to underpin the NDP will be the subject of a seminar involving Government Departments, regional authorities and the social partners to be held on 13 May.
If the Structural Fund regulations are adopted as anticipated at the end of May we would then have until the end of September to submit the NDP to the European Commission. We will, however, aim to finalise the NDP if possible and to submit it to the European Commission before the end of July.
It is intended that the NDP will address the general development needs of the economy in the
period 2000-6. While the plan will be subject to Government approval, I anticipate that particular emphasis will be placed on investment in infrastructure and human capital – areas which were also recommended for top priority in the ESRI report.
As indicated in the press release issued by Government on the occasion of the regionalisation decision, regionalisation will not in any sense deflect from the Government's commitment to tackle social exclusion whether urban or rural. In relation to those programmes in the area of social exclusion which are eligible for EU co-financing under the current round, the Government will, within the overall parameters of EU and other funding available in the two new regions, ensure that the objectives of these programmes remain a priority in both regions. Assistance for initial education and training and reskilling opportunities for the unemployed and those with inadequate qualifications will continue to be available in both regions. There will continue to be support for only school leavers, local enterprise development and the integrated development of disadvantaged areas within the new regions, and in particular, in urban blackspots.