§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under the European Union objective 1 funding programmes for Northern Ireland; [41889]
(2) if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under European Union objective 2 funding programmes for Northern Ireland. [41890]
§ Sir John WheelerNorthern Ireland is entirely an objective 1 region and as such the Government welcome private sector contributions to projects which the structural funds support. Where activities merit and are eligible for support under approved programmes in Northern Ireland private sector contributions are admissible as matching funding.