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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tourism Schemes.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

41 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the 22 projects which were approved under the special pilot scheme on tourism and the environment; the amount of money which was granted in respect of each project; the results regarding each of these programmes; the plans he has to put in place similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22413/01]

David Stanton

Question:

166 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the 22 projects which were approved under the special pilot scheme on tourism and the environment; the amount of money which was granted in respect of each project; the results regarding each of these programmes; the plans he has to put in place other similar schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22653/01]

I propose to take Questions

Nos. 41 and 166 together.

The pilot initiative on tourism and the environment was launched in February 1998 as a new measure under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, arising from the mid-term review. The objective of the measure was to promote, through grant aid, projects of a pilot or demonstration nature that undertook to contribute to knowledge and understanding of best practice in terms of managing the relationship between tourism and the environment.

The pilot initiative involved total investment of some £5 million under the operational programme of which £2.6 million was co-funded from the European Regional Development Fund. Full details of the 22 projects approved for funding and the European Regional Development Fund resources allocated in each case are contained in a final evaluation report produced by the external evaluator of the operational programme in September 2000. Copies of this report, which includes a detailed assessment of individual projects at that time, are being sent to the Deputies.

In concluding that the pilot initiative was a success, the report clearly pointed to the fact that city and county councils and managers had a crucial role to play in the future management of the tourism and the environment interface. I agree with this conclusion and last February I wrote to each local authority enclosing a copy of the report and inviting them to take a lead role in formulating a cohesive and integrated approach to tourism and the environment issues in their areas. I sought their full co-operation and active support in fostering the development of new initiatives and strategies following on from the learning that emerged from the initiative.

The experience gained from the pilot initiative has also led to other innovative initiatives in relation to the management of the tourism environment. For example, one of the projects of the initiative, promoted by the Institute of Tech nology of Tralee resulted in the production of, A Natural Shade of Green – An Environmental Guide for Hotels, which I launched last year at an Irish Hotels Federation conference held in Malahide in County Dublin. Subsequently, a similar guide for guesthouses was produced by the institute of technology. These guides address issues such as energy efficiency where savings can be made at little cost, reduction in water usage, waste reduction and elimination and the development of an environmental purchasing policy.
The experience of the initiative and the learning that emerged from project implementation also contributed, in no small way, to the framing of the tourism product development measure to be implemented by Bord Fáilte within the local enterprise development priority of the two Regional Operational Programmes, 2000 to 2006. Across all three sub-measures, one of the selection criteria is that projects will have to demonstrate "their environmental sustainability, having regard to best practice in relation to environmental protection including findings from the tourism and environment initiative under the Tourism OP, 1994-99, and the stated conditions set by the planning authorities".
Specifically, under sub-measure 3 – tourism and the environment – funding will be provided for the promotion of the better management of the relationship between tourism and the environment, with a particular focus on the implementation of integrated tourism management plans in established tourism areas. Support will also be available for proposals designed to promote best practice and mechanisms to stimulate the tourism industry to be a positive player in relation to the management of resources, the environment and the development of eco-tourism products.
The current position in relation to the proposed tourism measure is that its launch awaits European Commission clearance on State aid issues.
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