Under the National Development Plan 2000-06, a figure of IR£20 million over the seven year period has been allocated to the marine leisure and tourism sector, with improvements in access infrastructure, including marinas, slipways, etc., highlighted as requiring special attention. These moneys will form an integral part of the Regional Operational Programme 2000-06.
Among the elements that will need to be decided upon in any ensuing detailed scheme in relation to the marine leisure and tourism measure are: the type of projects eligible for aid; the rates of aid for each type of project; the monitoring and financial systems to be put in place; the specific eligibility criteria for deciding on access to any aid; and the format of application form to be used. This scheme is not expected to be in place before the end of this year or the beginning of 2001. Until then formal applications for grant-aid cannot be received.
During a recent visit to Ballycotton, I suggested, and it was only a suggestion, that a leisure development by Cork County Council might be capable of being funded in part at least through related commercial development such as holiday homes. Such a suggestion did not imply that this was to be a requirement for possible assistance under the marine leisure and tourism measure mentioned above in respect of marine access infrastructure. Nor was it implied that this was an activity in which Cork County Council was obliged to get involved in. On the other hand, there are limits on the availability of funds from central sources and local authorities should in partnership with the private sector seek out innovative funding mechanisms to support local marine leisure infrastructure development schemes.
