Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Tourism Industry Development.

Phil Hogan

Question:

142 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if grant assistance for the provision of extra bedrooms and a leisure centre is available through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11240/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

The national development plan, 2000-06, has been published and includes an outline of the Government's proposals for the development of the tourism industry over that period. The plan provides for two regional operational programmes, the Border, midlands and western – BMW – regional operational programme and the southern and eastern – SAE – regional operational programme, which will incorporate the specific provisions being made for the development of tourism product in these regions.

These operational programmes, which are likely to be published in the first half of this year, will outline in more detail the type of product eligible for support. While full details of the regional operational programmes have not been finalised, it is not envisaged that accommodation or leisure centres attached to accommodation will be eligible for support.

As I have stated previously, in response to Dáil questions on this subject, it has been the policy of my Department, for some time, not to provide for direct financial support for tourist accommodation projects, on the basis of the proven ability of the commercial accommodation sector to respond, without grant assistance, to growth in visitor numbers.