Vol. 533 No. 1
76 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if funding is available from his Department towards the development of marinas in coastal resorts in the interest of promoting the tourist industry. [6481/01]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, £20 million has been allocated over the seven year period to the marine leisure and tourism sector. This amount is made up of IR£14 million for the Border, midlands and western region and IR£6 million for the south and eastern region. The main objectives of the marine tourism measure will be to improve marine tourism access infrastructure such as marinas, berths, slipways etc. and to encourage integrated development and co-operative partnerships, particularly in relation to networks and clusters.
The marine tourism grant scheme is currently being developed by my Department in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and Bord Fáilte which have overall responsibility for the tourism measures under the plan and is expected to be launched later this summer.
