Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Marina Facilities.

David Stanton

Question:

196 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the further progress which has been achieved in the development of a marina facility in Youghal and in Ballycotton in County Cork; his further plans in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22747/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

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 funding of £6 million has been allocated to the south and east region and £14 million to the Border, midland and western region.

The marine tourism grant scheme is one of five sub-measures of the overall tourism measure of the national development plan and is currently being prepared by my Department in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation which has responsibility for the implementation of the overall measure. I understand that the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation is working with the EU Commission in Brussels to finalise EU approval for certain aspects of the overall national development plan tourism measure.

It is my intention that the marine tourism grant scheme will be launched by my Department as soon as this approval has been received. Until the scheme is launched and formal application forms and guidelines are available, applications cannot be accepted. However, all parties who have expressed an interest in the scheme, including those in Youghal and Ballycotton, will be sent details and an application form as soon as they are available. Once the grant scheme is in place and a formal application received from the promoters of these projects, they will be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the scheme.