Jimmy Deenihan
Question:55 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will introduce a new agri-tourism scheme in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17435/00]
Written Answers. - Agri-Tourism Scheme.
I am aware that tourism has considerable potential for the future development of rural areas. It combines well with agriculture in supporting population levels by providing supplementary income and stimulating enterprises, thus improving the local economy and the quality of life of rural communities. Tourism also provides the wider rural community with a mechanism for integrated community development.
I am fully committed to the future development of the rural tourism sector. Overall £6.7 billion has been provided under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for programmes and measures which will have a direct impact on rural areas. In so far as local development activity is provided for in the plan, some £58 million has been allocated for a Leader mainstream type programme and it is proposed that future funding from my Department for rural tourism including agri-tourism will be provided as part of this programme.
In this regard, my Department is currently preparing the operational programmes for the implementation of Leader programmes for submission to the European Commission with a view to obtaining clearance and prompt establishment of Leader funding activity to 2006.
In the meantime my Department is consulting the various bodies involved in the tourism sector including officials of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation regarding the future needs of rural tourism and with a view to ensuring a consistent approach to the development of rural tourism product by agencies operating at local and regional level. The final shape of proposals for the sector including the operating rules cannot be settled until the Commission approves the Leader programmes. My Department is committed to the further development of rural tourism in the context of overall national tourism policy so as to maximise its contribution to the economic and social development of rural areas.