Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tourism Grants.

Brian Cowen

Question:

41 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will provide a booklet which covers the grants available for tourism development in Ireland, the projects for which such grants would be available and the agency from which such grants would be available; his views on whether the publication entitled, European Funding for Ireland, should be supplemented by a directory which sets out the equivalent funding which is available to the tourism industry nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9240/97]

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

The largest element of EU grant assistance for the tourism sector comes from the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, which is available from the Government Publications Sales Office (GPSO). This sets out in detail the financial framework which will shape investment decisions necessary to achieve the targets set out in the programme. When this programme was launched in 1994, my Department also published Tourism 2000, again available from the GPSO. This publication contains a comprehensive list of contact points appropriate to the tourism related activities covered in the programme.

There are also grants available for the development of aspects of the tourism industry under EU programmes administered by Departments other than my own. A comprehensive directory of all EU structural schemes and programmes in Ireland entitled European Funding in Ireland contains details of implementing agencies and contact points and is available, free of charge, from the Department of Finance.

I am satisfied that the above publications, together with the comprehensive brochures, application forms and details of grant schemes and incentives in the tourism area which are available from Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development, are ample to meet both investor needs and interest from the general public. I would add, however, that both tourism development agencies, Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development, who are the key implementing agencies under the tourism operational programme and the usual first point of call for would be investors, continuously keep under review the range and quality of brochure information available to clients and the need to make improvements wherever and whenever necessary.