Vol. 534 No. 5
208 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when capital grants will be available for significant tourism projects under the national development plan; when the tourism organisations will be notified as to the amount of grant aid available; the type of project they can fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11149/01]
Under the national development plan funding of £100 million is provided for a tourism product investment scheme to be implemented by Bord Fáilte with proposals to be approved by an independent product management board. The scheme will be funded under sub-measures 1 to 3, inclusive of the local enterprise development priority within the regional operational programmes for the south and east and Border, midlands and west. Some £60 million has been provided for the S&E regions and £40 million for the BMW region for the development of major attractors and clusters of existing attractions, special interest pursuits and tourism and environment management.
Last December the regional OPs were approved by the European Commission. Under new procedures sub-measures 1 and 2 have had to be notified to the competition directorate of the Commission as a State aid. Despite our best endeavours, it is proving far longer than expected to get the necessary clearance and negotiations are still under way.
Bord Fáilte will be in a position to invite proposals under this scheme once the State aids position has been resolved.
