HC Deb 07 November 1995 vol 265 cc783-4W
Ms Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the administration costs to date to the Northern Ireland Office for the management and distribution of the European special support programme for peace and reconciliation. [41894]

Sir John Wheeler

To date, the administration of the European special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been undertaken by the Department of Finance and Personnel and other Northern Ireland Departments from within their existing resources. This activity is undertaken alongside other activities and has not been separately costed. As is the case with other structural fund programmes, the costs of this administration will not be scored against the programme.

Ms Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under the European Union programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. [41888]

Sir John Wheeler

The Government welcome private sector contributions to projects which the structural funds support. As is the case with all other European programmes, there is scope for the private sector and private finance to play their part in the special support programme for peace and reconciliation.

Ms Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the funding allocated under the European Union special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been distributed to organisations in Northern Ireland to date; and what percentage this is of the total planned spending for the first year of the programme. [41893]

Sir John Wheeler

To date, no funding from the special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been distributed to organisations outside central Government in Northern Ireland, though provisional allocations have been determined for all measures. It is hoped that payments under the technical assistance sub-programme and for some projects can be made in November 1995. This reflects the need to establish the novel delivery mechanisms envisaged in the programme, including the need to develop contracts between the European Commission, Northern Ireland departments and intermediary funding bodies. In addition, the Government recognise that small organisations, which would not usually apply for funding, must be given time to submit an application. Any funds unspent in the first year of the programme will be carried forward to future years.