Economic Infrastructure

The Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme concerns once-off infrastructural investments which are designed to enable new or enhanced services to be provided for postal, energy and telecommunications sector.

The European Community has approved 108 million E.C.U towards the total investment of 319.6m E.C.U. The E.U. finance is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (E.R.D.F.).

• Sub-Programme on Energy
• Sub-Programme on Communications
• Sub-Programme on Technical Assistance

Overall Administration of the programme is the responsibility of:

Department of Public Enterprise
Clare Street
Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 6715233

Sub-Programme on Energy

The objective of this sub-programme is to contribute to the development of a cost-effective energy sector by providing support for key investments in energy infrastructure and efficiency measures. This will be implemented through selective investment strategy involving:

1. An energy efficiency initiative: which involves a nation-wide £34 million investment in energy efficiency audits, investment in energy efficient technology and systems and technical advice to the industrial and commercial sectors. The E.R.D.F. will contribute approx. £14 million.
   Contact: Irish Energy Centre, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Tel: (01) 8369080
   
   
2. Renewable energy development: which will grant aid the provision of new power capacity from environmentally friendly renewable energy sources such as Wind, Hydro, Combined Heat and Power Systems, Waste and other sources, E.R.D.F. funding of £8.5 million is available to support these actions.
   
   
3. New peat fired capacity: This is the largest single investment to be implemented under the Programme. A new peat fired electricity station will be built at Clonbulloge, (near Edenderry) Co. Offaly. Grant aid is available for the construction of the new 120mw peat fired station. The E.R.D.F. will contribute approx. £21 million.
   
   
4. Rural energy networks: grant aid is being provided for the extension of mains electricity supply to the Aran Islands, Cape Clear, Inis Boffin and some upgrading works in Leitrim, Cavan. The work is being undertaken by the ESB. The E.R.D.F. will contribute approx. £3.6 million.
   
   
5. Studies and pilot projects in the development of cutaway bogs: grant aid will provide assistance for efforts to transform wetlands which have potential as wildlife habitat and amenity/tourism areas. Actions will be undertaken by Bord na Mona. The E.R.D.F. will contribute £1.1 million.

Back to top

Sub-Programme on Communications

The objective of this sub-programme is to support the provision of cost-effective and efficient services in the postal and telecommunications sectors.

Investments under the sub-programme include:

• The computerisation of counter services at 400 rural post offices and the construction of four interlinked mail centres at Athlone, Portlaoise, Sligo, and Galway. Actions are being undertaken by An Post. The E.R.D.F. will contribute £5.3 million.
• Accelerated development of important upgrades of the telecommunications network on a nation-wide basis, including digitisation and the introduction of advanced services for industry and commercial telecommunications users. E.R.D.F. funding allocation of £15.75 million.
• Development of Broadband Technology to promote the development of the Information Society of Ireland. E.R.D.F. funding allocation is £16 million.

Back to top

Sub-Programme on Technical Assistance

Research, evaluation and monitoring of the operation of the O.P. will be funded under this sub-programme. The Technical Assistance sub-programme is designed to upgrade the management, control, planning and project appraisal of the Operational Programme as a whole.

Back to top