Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:8 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered proposals, made to him by SFADCo, to grant special tax incentives to encourage investment in seaside resorts in the mid-west region.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Investment in Seaside Resorts.
I understand that certain proposals were made to my colleague, the Minister for Tourism and Transport, in relation to a number of seaside resorts in the Shannon region, and that a meeting subsequently took place between representatives of the South West Resorts Association and SFADCo, and officials of the Department of Tourism and Transport. My Department sought details of the proposals from the Department of Tourism and Transport and these were received in the last day or so. These will be examined in the normal way.
I would ask the Minister, when he receives this information, to consider the proposals favourably because in this area all our resorts have suffered a decline over the past 10 years. This was clearly indicated in the Brady, Shipman and Martin report which predicted the decline of these resorts. Again, I would like to ask the Minister to consider the proposals seriously. They include capital allowances similar to those operating in the urban renewal scheme, PRSI exemptions for employers from March until September, and rates relief. If these were put in place I am confident that again the attraction of the major tourist resorts could be offset and that market forces would not prevail as is happening in places like Ballybunion, Kilkee, Lisdoonvarna and Ballyheigue.
The Deputy has made his point.
It was a very good pilot proposal. It is the only one that exists in the country at the moment. It is a new proposal so in view of that I would appeal to the Minister to consider it carefully.
The Deputy is making a speech.
It will get due consideration at budget time in relation to the taxation section of the proposals. The question of rates relief is a matter for the local authorities. I do not think PRSI relief would be administratively possible in the way that is suggested. There is a list of other proposals that only arrived in the last few days. I did not think Ballybunion had any problems. I thought they were successfully marketing that golf links they have and that their excess on green fees was in the region of £400,000 or £500,000.
The Minister only comes for the races.
I do not play golf. I only hear the stories when I go down to the races.