asked the Minister for Transport and Power the total amount of grants allocated by Bord Fáilte to hotel interests in the Counties of Donegal and Leitrim; and if he will state those interests who received grants in excess of £10,000.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal-Leitrim Tourist Grants.
10.
The payment of grants for the development of holiday accommodation is a function of Bord Fáilte Éireann under the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952. I am informed by the board that the total grant payments for accommodation development in Counties Donegal and Leitrim to date amounted to £436,441.
It has been the practice of Bord Fáilte not to disclose the names of recipients of grants or the individual amounts received by them in respect of accommodation development. This procedure was followed because the board had given undertakings to developers that information relating to their projects would not be disclosed. In the circumstances, it is not possible to furnish the names of interests in Counties Donegal and Leitrim who have received grants in excess of £10,000.
However, as a result of an examination of the matter which was undertaken by Bord Fáilte at my request the board are now arranging to publish in future annual reports details of cash grant payments made during the relevant year and the names of the recipients. The first such list will appear in the board's annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1971.
May I thank the Minister for ensuring that this information will be published in future? Can the Minister let us know the number of recipients involved in the £436,441?
The information will appear in the annual report which is a new departure. It will be published on 31st March, 1971, and I think that is reasonable.
Will the publication of the information by Bord Fáilte show the actual amount to each recipient?
Full details of cash grants paid during the relevant year will appear for the first time in the report to be published for the year ending 31st March, 1971.
Will it include guesthouses as well as hotels?
I am sorry, I do not know that. I will look into that.
That is another honest man.