I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 80 together.
The employment initiative, of which NOW is a strand, has operated since 1995 and will continue until the end of 1999-early 2000. Over the course of the programme, delays have been experienced in receiving European social fund aid which have created difficulties for some project promoters participating in NOW.
While a tranche of funds for the employment initiative was recently received from the European Commission, the amount received was not sufficient to meet all outstanding claims. However, a part-payment – half – of 1999 second advance is at present being made to all NOW projects. My Department has made a further claim to the European Commission for the outstanding amounts and we expect to receive such funding early in the New Year. We will continue to vigorously pursue the European Commission in relation to the outstanding moneys.