I consider the development of the rural agri-tourism sector to be a key factor in ensuring the improved well being of rural areas. I established the rural agri-tourism advisory group to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the sector and put forward practical suggestions to enable the sector to develop.
The inaugural meeting of the rural agri-tourism advisory group was held on 28 February. The functions of the group include: To identify and consider opportunities for the development of the rural agri-tourism sector and related employment activity; to enable coherent guidelines to be brought forward, on the expenditure by Leader groups, on the rural agri-tourism measure; to provide guidance on consistency of practice within Leader groups in relation to rural-agritourism issues.
A key function of the group is to advise my Department on all issues relating to the operational aspects and funding provided under the national development plan for the promotion of rural agri-tourism of the national rural development programme and to ensure a coherent strategy is in place to ensure its effective delivery.
The programme is implemented by my Department, via Leader groups, as a measure under the Southern and Eastern Operational Programme and the Border, Midlands and Western Operational Programme. The budget for the measure in the two regional operational programmes is €30 million over the period of the National Development Plan 2000-06.
The following organisations nominated members to the group: Irish Farmhouse Holidays; Comhar Leader 2 members; IFA, rural development committee; ICMSA, rural development committee; Western Development Commission, rural tourism steering group; Irish Countrywomen's Association; Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism;Bord Failte; The Irish Sports Council; the regional tourism authorities; Shannon Development; Teagasc;Udarás na Gaeltacht-Gaelsaoire.
I addressed the inaugural meeting of the group and made clear the importance of putting in place a cohesive strategy for the development of the sector with all agencies and bodies working closely together.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 106.