220 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money spent under the gateway innovation fund, GIF, for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; the locations where money was spent and projects funded; if there are moneys earmarked in 2010, 2011 and 2012 under the GIF; and, if so, the proposed projects and their locations. [40533/10]

The Gateway Innovation Fund was originally provided for under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to stimulate and support innovative and locally co-funded projects that will prioritise gateway development in line with the National Spatial Strategy. The Fund was deferred in 2008 with no allocations having been made.

The Department of Finance report Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2016: A Financial Framework, which was approved by Government in July 2010, makes provision for the re-establishment of the Gateway Innovation Fund with an indicative level of funding of €200 million from 2012. A copy of the investment priorities report is available on the Department of Finance website at www.finance.gov.ie. My Department intends to liaise with the lead local authorities in the gateways on the matter in early 2011.