Written Answers - Tourism Industry.
Michael Ring
Question:
98
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
when the group to oversee the development of sustainable marine based tourism in the Mullet Peninsula, County Mayo, will be set up; the number of times it has met since; the people who are in the group; the amount that was paid to the group from a fund of £100,000 sanctioned for this pilot project; the amount used; if the fund is still in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5075/03]
My predecessor, Deputy Fahey, set up the Mullet Peninsula project group under the chairmanship of Mr. Liam Twomey of the National Aquarium of Ireland and the Belmullet Initiative. The group was launched on 7 December 2001. The following people are also members:
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Ms Anne Wilkinson
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Marine Institute
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Mr. Seán Ó Coistealbha,Regional Manager
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Údarás na Gaeltachta
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Mr. Martin Bradley,Senior Tourism Office
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Ireland West Tourism
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Mr. Tim Quinn,Regional Manager
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Leader
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Mr. Peter Hynes,Director of Services
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Mayo County Council
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The first formal meeting took place on 20 December 2001 and five more meetings were held in 2002.
The project group had a budget of €127,000 for 2002 of which my Department allocated just under €32,000. The balance of funding was provided by the other State agencies involved in the project. The project group claimed €4,471.59 from my Department and this was paid in 2002.
My Department is awaiting a report on the group's findings and will be in contact with them shortly regarding the completion of same. The report will be considered in the context of the current budgetary situation.
Michael Ring
Question:
99
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the type and location of the eight projects under the marine tourism grant scheme approved for feasibility study assessment; when the assessment will be completed; the funds available to progress these studies in 2003; the criteria used to decide the projects that should be approved; when planning for the four flagship projects commenced; and if funds will be allocated to advance these projects during 2003.
[5133/03]
The following eight projects were approved for feasibility study assessment under the marine tourism grant scheme:
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Reference
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Applicant
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Project
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MNRMTFS031
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Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford
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Feasibility study for extension of marina at Kilmore Quay
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MNRMTFS032
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Mullaghmore Harbour Users Association, Mullaghmore, Cliffoney, County Sligo
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Mullaghmore harbour feasibility study for the provision of a marina.
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MNRMTFS037
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Enniscrone and District Community Development, Castlepark House, Enniscrone, County Sligo
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Feasibility study for Enniscrone harbour.
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MNRMTFS041
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Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford
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Feasibility study to identify three suitable locations on the Wexford East coast for the development of berthing facilities.
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MNRMTFS043
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Dungarvan Urban District Council, Civic Offices, Dungarvan, County Waterford
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Feasibility study for the provision of a marina at Dungarvan harbour.
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MNRMTFS044
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Keeney Construction Limited, 237 Neasden Lane, Neasden, London.
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Feasibility study for the proposed marina and recreational water facility at Revlin, Donegal town.
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MNRMTFS054
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Carrowmore-Lacken Development Association Limited, Ballina, County Mayo
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Feasibility study for the development of a marina at Kilcumin, Couny Mayo.
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MNRMTFS056
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Martin O'Donovan, Colla House Hotel, Colla Road, Schull, County Cork
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Feasibility study on proposed 64 berth marina at Schull, County Cork.
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There was no funding provided for these projects in the revised Estimates for 2003. As outlined in answers to previous questions the assessment of these projects has not to date been completed.
The assessment criteria for the projects are as follows: tourism value; strategic value for regional development; links with other tourism or development projects and activities; long-term viability; cost effectiveness; long-term management capability; compatibility with the protection of the environment-heritage; marketing arrangements; equality of opportunity; poverty; and rural development.
During the course of the year 2000 planning for four flagship projects, Cahirciveen, Kenmare, Rosses Point and Roundstone, commenced. The first phase of the Cahirciveen project was completed in 2002 and the final payment of €2.54 million was made in December 2002. The Kenmare project received €332,313 in December 2001. The remaining two projects, for which funding is provided in the 2003 Estimates, are still at an early stage of development.
