Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the figure of all EU investment here since joining the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for, amongst other things, overall policy in relation to Ireland's EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. It also plays a central role in the development and monitoring of the programmes/projects through which the Funds are drawn down. Ireland has qualified for Structural Funds since we joined the EU in 1973 and for the Cohesion Fund from 1993 when it was established. However, due to the economic progress the country has made, Ireland no longer qualifies for Cohesion Funding since 2004.

Since Ireland joined the EU in 1973 we have been allocated approximately €18bn in EU Structural Funds (which comprises the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF)) and the Cohesion Fund. In addition to the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds, the EU provides monies to Ireland through a number of other funds principally through FEOGA (CAP), and the Rural Development Fund for which my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has responsibility. Details of receipts Ireland has received from the EU Budget under the various funds since we joined the EU in 1973 can be obtained from Table 11 of the document "Budgetary and Economic Statistics" published by my Department last year. The document can be obtained from the following website address: http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/publications/other/BES2007V2.pdf