Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projects that will be cancelled or delayed as a result of the deferring of the gateway innovation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10257/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The €300 million gateway innovation fund, GIF, was established, as part of the National Development Plan, NDP, 2007-2013, as a strategic targeted intervention to stimulate gateway development in the context of the national spatial strategy and thereby further the NDP cross-cutting objective for more balanced regional development. Following a call for proposals for funding from the GIF which issued to gateway lead authorities, the main local authority in each gateway, in June 2007, a total of 39 project proposals were received from the nine gateways with a total projected cost of almost €1.2 billion and a total request for funding from the GIF of €718 million. The projects submitted ranged across a broad spectrum of areas and included proposals for transport and connectivity infrastructure, major city or town centre regeneration schemes, enhancement of public open spaces, recreational amenities and cultural facilities.

In light of the deteriorating economic circumstances, a decision was taken last year not to approve projects or progress allocations from the GIF. It is a matter for gateway local authorities to decide whether their proposals can be advanced through other sectoral or local programmes. I propose to circulate with the Official Report a list of the projects for which funding was sought from the GIF.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This is an example of the gateways that were announced. I did not table the question but I still have an interest in it because Cavan and Monaghan were designated as gateway towns. All kinds of ideas were in the air about what could be and should be done. I await the details of the Minister's reply to hear what areas are affected. In simple terms, there is no money for it.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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It is clear that we have a serious financial situation and that we have had to cut back not just on current spending but that capital spending has had to be curtailed quite severely. I have tried to give the Deputy a comprehensive answer but, in essence, we do not have as much money as we would like.