Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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These are EU-wide rules. When a region migrates from A to C, there is a period during which it has a higher level of transitional aid. At the end of a regional aid programme, the transitional support goes. The Senator has correctly indicated that there are small, medium and large areas, with different approaches for each. For the small ones there is more generous regional aid permitted than for medium ones, and for the large ones the rules will have to be worked out. They will not be excluded from regional area but there must be a requirement to show novelty of process or product. There is discussion in that area.

In all regions some aid continues, including for research and development, the environment and risk capital. Some types of aid have general exemptions that will apply in all regions but the regional aid is confined to the so called C regions. The map is in gestation.