Vol. 396 No. 7
9 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will outline details of the grant aid scheme available in respect of sporting developments to assist the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the availability of assistance under the operational programme for tourism for the development of certain sports related facilities for tourists.
As outlined in a written reply of 30 January 1990 some £40 million in Structural Fund assistance is being made available to both the private and the public sector for development under this heading. There is a wide range of tourist activities in the specialist markets such as golf, angling, sailing, walking, cycling, equestrian, field sports and cruising eligible for assistance which will cover both infrastructural works by public authorities, for example, inland waterways, and trails, and other works by the private sector.
Full details on aid rates, eligibility and other criteria are set out at great length in the programme itself, copies of which I have already arranged to have made available in the Dáil Library.
The Minister has not outlined the terms and conditions under which individuals can apply for those grants. I understand that the Minister of State responsible for sport, Deputy Fahey, had been given responsibility in the Minister's Department to deal with specific projects relating to tourism. I am anxious to ascertain the criteria for the giving of such grants to districts such as Dún Laoghaire and Bray. In large towns in order to attract tourists it is necessary to provide sporting facilities such as indoor ten pin bowling and so on. It is important that families and tourists are able to use such facilities. They should have a sporting content and be an attraction to tourists.
In the first week of January I published the criteria for the investment of EC Structural Funds. That publication was given wide coverage in the media and it is available in the Dáil Library. We are talking about developing a wide range of specialised sports facilities such as golf, angling, sailing, equestrian, cycling, field sports, cruising and so on.
What about indoor sports?
Including indoor sports. The bottom line is that the project will be looked at by Bord Fáilte and if it meets the major criteria of attracting tourists to Ireland it will be supported with Structural Funds via Bord Fáilte and the Department of Tourism and Transport. If, on the other hand, the facility is mainly for local use it will not qualify. I should like to say that there are five or six projects for every one that we have sufficient funds to support. Therefore, it is important that Bord Fáilte select the projects that meet definite criteria.
Will the Minister agree that it is important to pick the right locations? Certain locations require specific facilities to attract tourists. Will the Minister consider including in the criteria a provision that particular attention will be paid in certain locations to individual projects?
I will bring that request to the attention of Bord Fáilte. I agree with the Deputy that we must ensure that there is a geographical spread of the funds. I should point out that a sum of £40 million will be made available under this heading over four years. I must stress that the important thing is that the projects meet the national criteria of attracting tourists.
Under the criteria will hotels with 45 bedrooms or fewer be entitled to any assistance in the provision of sporting facilities?
The leisure and sports facilities at hotels with more than 45 bedrooms are eligible for benefit.
