HC Deb 24 May 1993 vol 225 cc459-60W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show the Intereg funding for projects in Northern Ireland for each of the last three years; what is the projection for the current year; what sums were expended on the Ballyconnell canal joint project; and what percentage of the total sums donated to Northern Ireland this represented.

Mr. Mates

EC funding from the Northern Ireland/ Ireland Intereg programme is designed to assist both cross-border projects and projects which fall within the eligible areas of either member state.

The figures in the table show EC funding expended by Northern Ireland under Intereg since the initiative was approved in July 1991.

Northern Ireland expenditure under Intereg £ million Northern Ireland Intereg expenditure on Ballyconnell canal £ million Percentage
1991 4.9 0.5 10
1992 8.9 0.9 10
'1993 18.4
TOTAL 32.2 1.3 4
1 Represents a projected figure and assumes that the value of the pound will remain 1.256 against the ecu.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the sums expended on the Ballyconnell canal joint project was expended on administration and support services; and how much on actual construction and remedial works.

Mr. Hanley

The Ballyconnell canal joint project is estimated to cost IR£30 million. Cumulative expenditure at 31 March was IR£23.69 million. This was in respect of feasibility studies and site investigations, land acquisition costs, construction costs, site supervision and project management costs incurred by the Electricity Supply Board in the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland contribution to the project is capped at IR£2.4 million and cumulative expenditure at 31 March 1993 was IR£2.3 million. Details of the administrative overhead costs incurred by the two sponsoring Governments in overseeing the project are not available.

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