Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Marine Tourism.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

73 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to launch the marine tourism grant scheme; when application forms and guidelines will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27918/01]

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

95 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will unveil plans as promised to develop marine tourism and leisure under the National Development Programme 2000-2006. [28945/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 95 together.

The general direction for marine tourism development for the next six years is set in the national development plan. Under the NDP, £20 million has been allocated to the marine tourism sector for the period 2000 to 2006. My Department has been charged with developing and putting in place a cohesive and administratively efficient marine tourism grant scheme to support a range of quality and broad based projects. The objective of the scheme is to support the development of the marine tourism sector by improving quality and capacity in a sustainable way. Specific targets are access infrastructure, such as marinas, berths and slipways, and integrated development and co-operative partnerships, particularly in relation to networks and clusters.

The marine tourism grant scheme is one of five sub-measures of the overall tourism measure of the national development plan and is 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. The scheme will be part of the two regional operational programmes. Funding of £14 million has been allocated to the Border, midlands and western region and £6 million to the south and east region.

The Deputies will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, recently informed the House that the necessary State aid approval has been received from the European Commission in connection with the overall NDP tourism measure and that he hopes to launch this measure formally in the near future. Subject to the availability of funds, it is my intention to launch the marine tourism grant scheme either in conjunction with or as soon as possible after the launch of the overall tourism measure.

Once the scheme is launched, formal application forms and guidelines will be made available by my Department to all interested parties. Formal applications received from the promoters of eligible projects will then be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the scheme.