Vol. 465 No. 6
258 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the matters of concern that have been brought to his attention regarding grant aid for projects under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994 to 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10296/96]
The National Monitoring Committee and the Co-ordinating Committee for the Operational Programme for Tourism, each of which is chaired by an official from my Department, deal, inter alia, with general problems which may occur under the Operational Programme for Tourism and can bring proposals forward to address those concerns. The National Monitoring Committee may take decisions to transfer funds between measures and may also adjust the criteria which apply in respect of such measures. To date, decisions have been taken, inter alia, to provide additional funding for accommodation-related developments; to revise the grant criteria for the selective hotel improvement scheme; and to facilitate sewage treatment on cruisers.
Moreover, the Operational Programme for Tourism will be reviewed shortly in the context of the mid-term evaluation of the programme.
