Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 6

Written Answers. - Agri-Tourism Grant Scheme.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

198 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers in South Tipperary/West Waterford who qualify for grant aid under the agri-tourism grant scheme; the amount of funding involved; the percentage of the total funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The agri-tourism scheme, which forms part of the EC supported Operational Programme for Rural Development under the current round of Structural Funds, was launched by my Department in March 1991.

To date 210 projects have been approved under the scheme with a grant equivalent of £5.3 million. Of these five are in South Tipperary and seven in Waterford and they represent a potential grant aid commitment of £67,000.

In addition to the 12 farmers in South Tipperary and in Waterford who are directly participating in the scheme, many more are in receipt of benefits flowing from grant aid to marketing projects under the Scheme.