HC Deb 21 February 1992 vol 204 cc315-7W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total projected expenditure on(a) rural development division of the Department of Agriculture, (b) Rural Development Council for Northern Ireland, (c) interdepartmental committee on rural development and (d) other rural development initiatives in the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

category, (iii) C category and (iv) unclassified roadways in each section of the Department of the Environment (NI) roads service in each of the last five years.

Mr. Needham

The information available is as follows:

category, (c) C category and (d) unclassified roadways in each section of the Department of the Environment (NI) roads service.

Mr. Needham

The information is as follows:

Mr. Hanley

Projected expenditure on the Government's rural development initiative is as follows:

Rural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture The DANI Rural Development Division has been established progressively since February 1991. Running costs for the year to 31 March 1992 are estimated at £145,000. Projected running costs for 1992–93 are £263,000. Subject to pay and prices increases the running costs for subsequent years are projected at a similar level.

Northern Ireland Rural Development Council The Northern Ireland rural development council was established on 31 July 1991. Expenditure by the council in 1991–92 is estimated at £396,000, including both running costs and assistance to community-based rural development groups. Financial allocations to the rural development council for 1992–93 and subsequent years have not yet been finalised pending the outcome of the council's deliberations on its strategic plan and budgetary requirements.

Inter-Departmental Committee on Rural Development The costs of the committee have been absorbed within existing provision.

Other Rural Development Initiatives

  • 1990–91—£234,000, financed in part by the EC, was incurred on rural development pilot projects.
  • 1991–92—Expenditure on rural development projects is estimated at £248,000, financed in part by the EC.

Allocations for 1992–93 and subsequent years have not yet been finalised and will depend on, among other things, the outcome of the rural development council's strategy and budget discussions as well as the pattern of expenditure on the NI LEADER programme—for which £4 million is available from EC and national resources —and on any rural development projects under the community development measure of the EC INTERREG initiative.

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