Review of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland
The European Commission and the Northern Ireland authorities have recently completed a review of the application of the Structural Funds in Northern Ireland in the 1994-1999 period. The review concluded that the original objectives of the programme remain valid, but some resources will be transferred within the programme in order to increase emphasis on tackling unemployment. For the period 1994-1999, a total of ECU 1,241 million has been allocated to Northern Ireland under the Structural Funds. The objectives of this programme are to promote economic growth, improve social cohesion and encourage improved links with the rest of the EU. The review shows that the programme is well on track to meeting its targets, with some ECU 500 million of the total already spent. In particular, the unemployment rate has decreased from 13.5% to 8.7% of the workforce. To ensure that the impact of the Structural Funds is maximized, the Commission and the Northern Ireland authorities have decided to reallocate some ECU 48 million of the remaining funding. The reallocated funding will go to projects such as: - Improving rail links and encouraging the use of public transport; - Improving water supplies; - Support for the fishing industry, including decommissioning; - Guidance and support for long-term unemployed; - Increasing support for research and development, particularly through encouragement of technological innovation.
Countries
United Kingdom