Helen Keogh
Question:28 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, made under the operational programme for tourism 1994-99; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4345/96]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Operational Programme for Tourism.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:42 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether Ireland is on course to draw down the full projected amount under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99; whether the anticipated private investment under the programme is materialising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4358/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 42 together. Although the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 was not agreed and launched until late 1994, to date over 760 projects have been approved at a cost of some £200 million, attracting over £90 million in EU aid. Expenditure to the end of 1995 on approved projects exceeded £75 million, of which almost £37 million was private investment. By the end of 1996 total expenditure is expected to increase to £190 million with an expected private sector contribution of over £74 million.
There are no indications at this stage that available funds will not be drawn down or that private investment targets will not be met during the lifetime of the programme.
I am pleased the Minister has indicated that all the funds will be drawn down. In regard to decision making on the huge number of applications received, is regionality a factor in deciding which scheme shall be approved?
I refer Deputy Molloy to the report of the Product Management Board which I will bring before Cabinet shortly and which indicates a general spread throughout the regions. The independent product boards, Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations agree the objective should be to promote quality proposals in as many regions as possible. That is evident in the spread of grants allocated to date.
Benefits will result from these projects once they are up and running. Has the Minister plans to bring forward investment to the earlier years of the programme? It is clear that relatively small amounts are spent in the early years and the biggest level of expenditure will be in the later years of the programme, thereby postponing the benefits from the projects.
If I had the opportunity I would make arrangements to spend a huge amount of money this year, but a monitoring group considers the nature of expenditure and the categories to which the money is allocated. A mid-term review of the programme will be carried out. I have no reason to doubt that all the available funds will be drawn down in due course and regionality will be taken into consideration.
Under the terms of the Tourism Operational Programme the Minister is required to give full information on progress in implementing the programme. What steps has he taken to fulfil his obligation in that regard and what level of detail will be included in his disclosures?
I am answering questions here, which is one method of informing the public. The report of the independent boards will be available for public scrutiny as soon it passes through Cabinet.