asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has any plans to allocate financial assistance to the Dundalk Heritage Committee, County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to the excellent work carried out by the committee and the substantial cost incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk, Louth, Heritage Committee.
3.
My Department have no funds available to them to assist such a project. However, I understand that Dundalk Heritage Committee have been approved in principle for assistance under the European Regional Development Fund Special Border Areas Programme. Grant assistance of up to 55 per cent, of expenditure on certain promotional activities is available under the tourism element of the programme. This element is being administered by the Department of Finance with assistance from Bord Fáilte.
Is the Minister aware that Dundalk is celebrating the 1,200th anniversary of its founding and that the Dundalk Heritage Committee are doing excellent work to mark that birthday? Is the Minister aware also that a substantial programme has been prepared from 28 June, the date of the birthday, to the end of the year and has he any proposal to allocate funds, other than assistance under the European Regional Development Fund Special Border Areas Programme?
I am fully aware of the work of that committee which is very conscious of the heritage and history of Dundalk and the areas surrounding it, even going back to the days of Cuchulainn. In fact, I have received an invitation from the committee to attend some of the functions. The House will be aware that a substantial portion of the Structural Funds has been dedicated to the development of tourism and that money has been allocated under the special Border areas programme to the committee. As far as I am aware some documentation is awaited from the Dundalk Heritage Committee after which payment will be made.