Vol. 462 No. 2
29 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals, if any, he has to have a study carried out in the Border counties on the best use that can be made of tourism development funding under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, the EU INTERREG Programme and the Operational Programme for Tourism. [4364/96]
Conclusions and recommendations from various studies carried out on the previous INTERREG and Tourism Operational Programme were taken into account in the design of their current counterparts and also in the design of the new Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. The opportunities available under the latest programmes are being adequately promoted and tourism interests are sufficiently aware of the funding possibilities involved. I, therefore, have no immediate plans for further studies. However, as the Deputy may be aware, ongoing mechanisms have been built into the current programmes to oversee implementation and operation and to monitor progress.
31 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total expenditure by his Department on tourism promotion; and the ten main components. [4355/96]
Total expenditure on tourism promotion and development from my Department's Vote in 1995 totalled £36.238 million, provided under the following subheads: B1 — grant-in-aid to Bord Fáilte for administration and general expense, £24.4 million; B2 — grant-in-aid to Bord Fáilte for tourism development works, £1.4 million; B3 — grant-in-aid to tourism promotion and development fund, £6.406 million; B5 — grant-in-aid to SFADCo for administration and general expenses, £1.0 million, B6 — grant to CERT for general administration expenses-training, £3.032 million.
Expenditure priorities from the various grants-in-aid are matters for the respective agencies as part of their day to day operations.
Is the Minister concerned about fragmentation in the tourism industry, particularly in product development, which arises from involvement of other Departments such as the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the Department of the Marine? Would it not be better if his Department had complete control of the tourism budget for product development and marketing?
There is co-operation and correlation between my Department and the Department of the Marine and Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in respect of angling and heritage matters. The Department of the Environment is involved in servicing the proposals. Perhaps one Department could have responsibility for all these matters, but there is a very good working relationship between the Departments involved.
I am glad the Minister thinks so.
