Vol. 530 No. 2
21 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has reached any conclusions on the submission from Ballycotton Harbour Development Association regarding the further development of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3278/01]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, £20 million has been allocated to marine tourism and targeted particularly at improving marine access infrastructure, such as marinas, berths and slipways. The scheme will be part of the two regional operational programmes and the funding has been allocated with £6 mill ion for the south and east region and £14 million for the Border, midlands and western region.
The scheme is not expected to be in place until later this year and applications cannot be accepted before it is formally launched and applications invited. Thus, while the Ballycotton Harbour Development Association has sent in details of its development proposals, the project cannot yet be considered as being a formal application as my Department's marine tourism grant scheme is not yet in place.
However, those parties who have expressed an interest in the scheme, including Ballycotton Harbour Development Association, will be sent details and an application form as soon as they are available. Once the formal scheme is in place and a formal application received from the Ballycotton Harbour Development Association, it will be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the scheme.
