Noel Treacy
Question:10 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total grant aid envisaged and the total investment involved in 1995 under the operational programme for tourism. [14064/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Operational Programme for Tourism.
Tony Killeen
Question:123 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total grant aid envisaged and the total investment involved in 1995 under the operational programme for tourism. [14119/95]
Ivor Callely
Question:166 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total funds available for tourism development projects in 1995; the categories for such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14180/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 123 and 166 together. Latest forecasts available suggest that expenditure for 1995 under the operational programme for tourism will be about £86 million, of which some £43 million will be EU aid, to be spent across project categories as follows:
IR£million
|
Total Investment |
EU Aid |
|
|
Natural/Cultural Tourism |
9.1 |
6.8 |
|
Product Development |
29.3 |
11.8 |
|
Marketing |
29.7 |
12.3 |
|
Training |
17.4 |
12.7 |
|
Technical Assistance |
0.3 |
0.2 |
|
Total |
85.8 |
43.8 |
There are a variety of other programmes which impact on tourism development, either directly or indirectly, and which are the responsibility of other Ministers. Examples are the operational programmes for agriculture, rural development and forestry, local urban and rural development and transport as well as community initiatives such as the recently agreed Leader II. However, no specific tourism allocations for 1995 have been specified in these programmes.
What checks are in place to ensure that expenditure under the programme is directed, to some extent at least, to areas in need of the benefits that accrue from developing the tourism industry? Will the Minister ensure that areas that have shown a high growth rate in the past two or three years receive fewer resources so that the areas that need development may benefit?
The Deputy will be aware that "Marketing" includes marketing abroad and "Product Development" includes the provision of tourism facilities at home. On the home market, all moneys are expended by independently chaired committees which decide the allocations to be made based on applications they receive. Those committees objectively consider each application. The Deputy will also be aware of the INTERREG and IFI funding which covers Border and cross-Border activities. All applications are considered objectively and we are anxious that resources are distributed to as many areas as possible.
That was why I asked the question. Those committees are relatively independent and that may be the best way for them to operate. However, can the Minister ensure that a large percentage of the projects approved by them are not concentrated in one area, thus excluding perhaps more needy areas that might have great potential for development if properly assisted?
The Department and Bord Fáilte are represented on those committees and the matter to which the Deputy referred has been taken into account.