Vol. 456 No. 5
31 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the announcements made by his Department in relation to grant aid for development incentives for the tourism industry since January 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14004/95]
Since January, 1995 I have made some 13 press announcements regarding grant aid for the development of the tourism industry. These announcements related to grant approvals by the independent management boards set up to decide the allocation of funds under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99 which, as the Deputy will know, is the primary tourism development programme for the next five years.
I will be happy to supply the Deputy with copies of these announcements, if he wishes.
34 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total funds available in 1995 for grant aid under the tourism development incentives for hotel, sport and leisure developments and hotel refurbishment projects; the effect these may have on developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14005/95]
Latest forecast for investment in 1995 under the specialist accommodation-related developments measure of the operational programme for tourism is £14.8 million to which the European Regional Development Fund is expected to contribute £4.5 million. This is the major source of grant aid for accommodation-related projects, offering assistance for development of conference and leisure facilities, hotel refurbishment and specialist visitor accommodation needs.
Latest forecast for 1995 investment under a separate measure in the programme which deals with special interest holiday facilities for cruising, equestrian, golf, walking and similar tourist activities, is £7.3 million, to which the EU will contribute £2.35 million in grant aid.
Various EU-sponsored programmes under the aegis of other Ministers may also provide support for the tourism developments mentioned by the Deputy. However, I have no information on the amounts likely to be spent on such tourism projects in 1995. I am satisfied that these measures will make a valuable contribution to upgrading the quality and standard of facilities for our visitors in 1995 and subsequent years, enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland as a holiday destination to an increasing number of potential visitors and helping to achieve a better seasonal spread of tourists by the end of the Programme in 1999.
