Vol. 535 No. 4
88 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his plans to develop the marine leisure infrastructure, subsequent to the report by the Marine Institute; the timescale for such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12745/01]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Marine Institute report entitled "Investment Programme 2000-2006 for the water-based tourism and leisure sector in Ireland". Based on this report, the Government included specific provision in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the marine tourism and leisure sector.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, a figure of IR£20 million over the seven-year period has been allocated to the marine tourism and leisure sector. Of this, £14 million has been allocated to the Border, midlands and western region, and £6 million to the south and eastern regions.
The main objectives of the marine tourism grant scheme will be to improve marine tourism access infrastructure and to encourage integrated development and co-operative partnerships, particularly concerning networks and clusters.
The marine tourism grant scheme is one of five sub-measures of the tourism measure of the national development plan. The scheme is currently being prepared in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Bord Fáilte and is expected to be launched later this summer.
