asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what proportion of the special grant for tourist development to Bord Fáilte Éireann will be made available for smaller tourist centres; whether such funds will be specially allocated to areas; or whether it will be left to the discretion of Bord Fáilte Éireann to make the disposition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Development.
6.
In accordance with the Government decision announced in the White Paper on Economic Expansion, the special provision of £1 million for resort development grants will be devoted exclusively to the improvement of major tourist resorts. The approved scheme of grants will be administered by Bord Fáilte Éireann on its own responsibility.
Am I to take it that there are no special grants whatsoever available for the minor tourist resorts?
No. As Deputies are aware Bord Fáilte have an annual grant of £500,000 for their normal activities and they can use, at their own discretion, any part of these resources for the development of holiday accommodation. But, over and above that £500,000 which was available under existing legislation, the Government decided to give them another £1,000,000 for major resort developments.
In view of the fact that the major resorts are getting £1,000,000 would the Minister not consider the desirability of chanelling some of the existing £500,000 to minor resorts?
That is a matter for Bord Fáilte.
Would the Minister not like to suggest that it would be a good idea?