Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Assistance.

John Bruton

Ceist:

182 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action he proposes to take to have grant assistance repaid by a company (details supplied) which has been struck off by the Companies Office, which obtained grant aid from his Department and the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10436/02]

John Bruton

Ceist:

189 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will carry out an investigation into the way in which a company (details supplied) obtained grant assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency for research work (details supplied) even though the company has been struck off and therefore, no longer legally exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 189 together.

The question of recovery of grant assistance paid under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999, to the company involved is being addressed in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor's Office.

The company in question was a partner in a consortium that, in September 2001, was awarded a grant by the Environmental Protection Agency under the environmental research, technological development and innovation measure of the Productive Sector Operational Programme, 2000-2006, in respect of a research project concerning environmentally sustainable conversion options for large volume organic wastes in Ireland. However, the company withdrew from this project with effect from 19 September 2001 and was replaced by another concern.