WRITTEN QUESTION P-2920/98

by Alan Gillis (PPE) to the Commission

(25 September 1998)

Subject: Conversion aid for regeneration

Given that assistance is available in some areas for reconversion, e.g. schemes which are assisting redevelopment in mining areas in North Wales, what are the possibilities for areas of North Offaly, Ireland, affected by heavy job losses resulting from cuts in operations by Bord na Mona (national peat production) and by ESB (Electricity Supply Board), the major employers in the region, to be included in such schemes?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Areas in North Wales traditionally dependent on coal-mining have benefited from redevelopment schemes under initiatives such as Rechar. The areas of North Offaly mentioned by the Honourable Member do not qualify for such aid because they are not coal-mining areas. However, Ireland is a single objective 1 region with a Community support framework covering the whole country. It is therefore always open to the Irish authorities to adjust priorities, within their overall structural funds budget, so as to target a specific area in need of reconversion.