118 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the projects, if any, that are funded or have been approved for funding under the SME Community Initiative Programme of the second round of the structural funds; the name, purpose and location of each project; and the amount of Irish and European funding provided. [2662/96]

The SME initiative aims to stimulate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in less developed regions (e.g. Ireland) to adapt to the single market and to ensure that they become internationally competitive. All member states were invited to draw up proposals for funding on the basis of guidelines set out by the Commission in June 1994.