Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 5

Written Answers. - European Funding.

Michael Ferris

Question:

35 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give details of the results of the mid-term review of European funding for the period 1994-1999 in view of the fact that it affects projects submitted to or assisted by her Department. [20765/97.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Under the mid-term review a reduction of 10 million ECU in the European Regional Development Fund allocation as follows has been implemented for subprogramme 1 of the Tourism Operational Programme:

	mECU
Measure 1	1.688
Measure 2	2.064
Measure 3	6.248
	10.000

These revisions have the effect of reducing all unexpended European Regional Development Fund funding from projects at the Blasket Island piers, Mayo National Park, Clara Nature Reserve and the National Library. It will also result in amendments which still have to be finalised in the list of projects which will be eligible for further European Regional Development Fund assistance under the OP in the waterways service and in the cultural development incentives scheme.

Under the mid-term review an additional 1.5 million ECU has been allocated under a new measure in subprogramme 3 (marketing) of the operational programme for overseas marketing of cultural and heritage attractions. My Department will be working closely with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Bord Fáilte in determining the list of marketing initiatives to be adopted with the aid of this additional funding.

It has also been agreed as a result of the mid-term review that an appraisal of progress on projects approved under subprogramme 1 be completed by spring 1998 to enable the monitoring committee for the tourism OP to review the necessity, if any, for further reallocation of resources at that time.