Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Border Counties Funding.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

34 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the funds from the EU and other sources available for the southern Border counties; the funds that are additional or consequent on the peace process; and the purposes for which they have been or will be used in each of the years from 1994 to 1996. [3928/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 is the principal source of funding for the development of tourism in Ireland including the southern Border counties. The programme, full details of which are available from the Dáil Library, provides for a total of £369 million in EU funds, comprising £286 million from the European Regional Development Fund and £82 million from the ESF. It is envisaged that over the programme period, the EU contribution will be matched by some £84 million from the public sector and £199 million from the private sector. Every sub-region, including the Border region, has an equal opportunity to avail of these investment funds in order to attract visitors and create wealth in their areas. The success or otherwise of individual sub-regions in obtaining programme funds depends a great deal on the quality of tourism proposals emerging for consideration in each area. There were no additional funds allocated to this programme as a consequence of the peace process.

Funding for An Bord Tráchtála is for the promotion of Irish goods and services and is not confined to any one region. Companies in the border counties have equal opportunity to avail of supports. Expenditure on certain marketing activities provided by ABT is eligible for European Regional Development Fund support under the Marketing Sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development. The Market Development Sub-Programme provides for a total spend of £446 million in the six year period, 1994-99 made up of £80 million from European Regional Development Fund receipts coupled with £82 million from the public sector and £284 million from the private sector. In addition under the Small Business OP it is expected that up to £900,000 of European Regional Development Fund funding will be drawn down by ABT to help small firms access public procurement markets.

The Deputy will be aware that certain tourism and trade projects in the southern Border counties can benefit from funding under other initiatives, such as INTERREG Northern Ireland, the International Fund for Ireland and the Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which are primarily the responsibility of other Ministers.