Vol. 462 No. 2
25 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the funding that is available from the Operational Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for the Border counties in this State for tourism development; the programmes, if any, that will be undertaken with this funding; the projects, if any, that have been identified for assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4219/96]
The Special EU Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation envisages the provision of £48 million in EU funding for the first three years, 1995 to 1997, of the initiative for the Border counties. While there is no specific tourism measure, up to £5 million has been tentatively earmarked for tourism related projects across a number of measures dependent, of course, on the quality of proposals submitted by the eligible community groups and local authorities.
Details in relation to the measures and eligible activities can be found in the programme which was, I understand, circulated to all Oireachtas Members shortly after it was adopted in July 1995. The special programme is still at an early stage and no tourism project has yet been approved.
Does the Minister accept that £5 million for tourism development out of a fund of £48 million is totally inadequate? I am sure he agrees that tourism could be a major contributor to the necessary regeneration of the Border economy. In view of its potential, particularly for job creation, substantial resources should be made available for the Border region. Does the Minister accept that highly visible projects would demonstrate to all and sundry the dividends of peace which can be gained by advancing the peace process and create employment which was lost as a result of the 25 years of violence?
There will not be sufficient money in any fund to accommodate all the proposals made. The initiative covers Northern Ireland and the Border regions of the Republic. At least 20 per cent of the total fund or £48.4 million will be available for the Border region in the South. Of this, 15 per cent must be devoted to cross-Border activities. It is intended to be genuinely additional to that available from other sources including the sectoral operational programmes and INTERREG. I will supply details of what is available for the Border regions from other sectors which is additional to the £5 million tentatively earmarked for cross-Border and tourism projects if the Deputy so wishes.
Does the Minister accept that £5 million is totally unacceptable for a major growth industry and one that will create employment in the future? Tourism projects of a cross-Border nature have been identified and could be easily promoted.
The £5 million is additional to moneys for tourism under the INTERREG programme and the operational programme for tourism. While the Deputy considers the sum to be insufficient, no tourism programme has been approved under that allocation. There would be a better case to make if community groups and local authorities were in the business of attempting to see how best genuine and quality applications for cross-Border tourism activities could be promoted and dealt with under this allocation, which, together with what is available under the INTERREG and the European Regional Development Fund funds, is substantial.
Is the Minister saying quality projects are not forthcoming from community groups, local authorities and private individuals?
No. However, to date, no tourism project has been approved under this scheme. I am as anxious as the Deputy to have quality applications which could then be analysed and promoted.
