Tony Killeen
Question:92 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, on the mid-term review of the EU Operational Programme for Tourism; and the plans, if any, he has to alter current expenditure policies. [2630/97]
Written Answers. - Operational Programme for Tourism.
As part of the overall mid-term review of the Community Support Framework and in common with other operational programmes, the mid-term review of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999 has already commenced.
The review process of the tourism operational programme began last year with the drawing up of detailed terms of reference for a mid-term evaluation, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the European Commission and the appointment of a mid-term evaluator.
I understand that the mid-term evaluator's report is being finalised and that it is the intention to have it considered at a specially convened meeting of the National Monitoring Committee of the tourism operational programme at the end of February. The results of this consideration will then be fed into the overall CSFS mid-term review process. This is to allow the Government and the European Commission to review the general thrust and direction of CSF programmes, to decide on any strategic changes required and to determine any inter programme reallocations which might be required in the first instance prior to considering changes within individual programmes. The CSF review is due to be completed by the middle of this year.