As the Deputy will be aware, the National Development Plan – NDP – 2000-2006, was recently published. The plan is based, first and foremost, on an assessment of the development needs of the country and aims to build on the economic progress of recent years and strengthen the foundations for further strong and sustainable growth.
Consultations with the tourism industry, including the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, in the run up to the national development plan clearly established that marketing and training were the industry's two priorities for funding in the post-99 period. For this reason and also because the market has shown ample readiness to invest in accommodation without grant incentives, it is not envisaged that the provision of grant assistance for tourist accommodation will be a priority.
Provision for investment in tourism under the NDP exceeds £350 million for marketing, product development and training over the seven years of the plan. Additional funding for tourism product development in the marine leisure area, in angling and in rural tourism, will bring this investment to well over £400 million. Certain developments in the arts-heritage area and also in forestry will also support the development of tourism product.
