Vol. 470 No. 3
48 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the projects in Ireland which will qualify or have qualified for INTERREG funding; and the criteria and procedures which need to be followed by a tourism project hoping to apply for such funding. [18838/96]
While primary responsibility for the administration of both the Ireland-Northern Ireland and Ireland-Wales INTERREG programmes lies with the Department of Finance, my Department administers the tourism measures for each programme. The procedures for applying for assistance and the criteria used for selecting projects are outlined in the respective programmes which were circulated to all members of the Oireachtas subsequent to their launch in 1995.
Application forms for both programmes are issued by the Department of Finance and should be completed and returned there for registration. Tourism-related applications are then passed on to my Department which arranges for their evaluation by Bord Fáilte. In the case of the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG, my Department and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board co-chair the tourism and culture working group which approves tourism projects. In the case of the Ireland-Wales INTERREG, my Department is represented on the economic development working group which considers tourism projects and which is co-chaired by the Department of Finance and the Welsh Office.
Apart from the overall eligibility criteria which need to be adhered to, tourism projects must be consistent with the stated objectives of the tourism measures in each of the programmes. For the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG Programme, the primary objective is to develop and market the eligible region as a quality tourist destination. Priority is given to projects which develop products or market the area with the aim of promoting or developing increased visitor revenue. Particular emphasis is placed on projects which contribute to extending the tourism season, improving visitor satisfaction and creating additional employment.
