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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 4

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

Jack Wall

Question:

169 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of projects for inland marinas which his Department has received in regard to capital project grants in each of the past five years; the position of the projects if successful; the funding allocated in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/02]

The Deputy will be aware that my predecessor launched the marine tourism sub-measure which is being implemented by my Department as part of the two regional operational programmes of the National Development Plan 2000-06. Under this grant scheme, the €25.4 million which has been allocated to marine tourism is targeted at improving marine access infrastructure such as marinas, berths and slipways and is limited to coastal or estuarine areas.

In developing its priorities for the national development plan my Department, in consultation with the Marine Institute, has identified the lack of an adequate coastal infrastructure provision as a key development constraint to water-based tourism and leisure and the most serious obstacle to development as being the lack of service infrastructure in coastal regions in terms of serviceable harbours, piers, slipways and moorings. As a result, the improvement of access infrastructure in coastal and estuarine areas has been targeted by my Department as the primary focus for development under the scheme. In pursuing this policy, it is intended that investment in infrastructure will concentrate on providing facilities in coastal areas which have suffered from under-investment in the past and which have the potential to provide either new, or enhanced, recreational infrastructure to facilitate activities like general boating, angling and water sports.
The extent of funding in 2003 will determine the number of projects, if any, which can be supported under the scheme. No final decisions on funding have been made to date. The primary responsibility for development of the inland waterways rests with the North-South body, Waterways Ireland, and the provision of grant aid for such development is a matter for that body.
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