James Leonard
Question:109 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will provide funding from the Operational Programme for Tourism for road improvements in view of the need to improve access to lakes and rivers. [7030/95]
Written Answers. - Road Improvements.
The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 provides for, inter alia, the development of Ireland's coarse and game angling resources including bank development. The implementing authority for this measure is the Department of the Marine-Central Fisheries Board with the Department having overall responsibility and the Central Fisheries Board being responsible for the day-to-day administration-implementation of the measure. Projected total investment in this area is over £18 million for the 1994-99 period.
Certain ancillary developments, such as the purchase of angling boats and the development of bait rooms, tackle rooms, visitor changing and drying room facilities and access to angling waters are also eligible for EU grant assistance. The implementation of this measure is the responsibility of the product management boards in the Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development areas. Projected total investment in this area is expected to be about £2 million.
While the term "access to angling waters" could conceivably comprise road improvement works, I have no function in determining what funding priorities in this area are selected by the management boards. Having regard to the limited funding available, any additional funding will have to come from the Minister for the Environment who has overall responsibility for roads development.