91999E1904

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1904/99

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: URBAN (1996-1999)

The total amount allocated to Italy from the Community's structural funds for the URBAN Community initiative on urban areas for the period 1996-1999 is ECU 298,4 million (equal to approx. LIT 580 billion).

Will the Commission state what agencies (public or private), institutions, companies, cooperatives and individuals have been allocated funding under URBAN (specifying whether payments have already been made) and how much each of them has been granted?

Has it checked how the amounts have actually been used and whether the proposed measures have been successfully implemented?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1999)

For the current programming period 1994-99, the Community contribution planned for the Urban Community initiative in Italy amounts to 136,7 million, including 120,4 million from the European Regional Development Fund and 13,3 million from the European Social Fund.

According to the relevant legislation, the Commission disburses the assistance granted under Urban direct to the national authorities responsible for the operational programmes and their implementation. Detailed information concerning the final beneficiaries may be obtained from the Italian Ministry of Public Works.

The monitoring committees, which are composed of representatives of the Commission and of the Ministries and regions concerned, see to it that the programmes are properly executed.