Vol. 445 No. 6
71 Mr. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the tourist potential of Fingal; and the proposals, if any, he has to develop this potential for the benefit of the residents of the area. [556/94]
Fingal Tourism Initiative was set up in May 1993, with the aim of examining the potential of the Fingal Region as a tourism development area, thus complementing the objectives for Fingal as set out in the Regional Development Plan 1994-1999 formulated by Bord Fáilte with full input from Dublin City and County Regional Tourism Organisation.
The need for a survey and development plan was identified through a consultation process with all interested parties throughout the Fingal area. The Environmental Research unit in UCD has been recently asked to carry out the study and Fingal County Enterprise Board have provided £5,000 by way of a grant towards the cost of the study.
The Deputy will be aware of the importance which the Government attaches to tourism in terms of job creation and local development. I can assure him careful consideration will be given in the context of the Operational Programme to the recommendations in the UCD Study regarding tourism development in Fingal. I would also like to point out that with support from the last Operational Programme a total of £11.9 million has been invested in tourism projects in the Fingal area such as Newbridge House, Donabate, St. Margaret's Golf Club, Howth Lodge Hotel. In addition half a million pounds has been invested in agri-tourism projects in Fingal supported by the agri-tourism grant scheme. Developments such as Malahide Marina and Malahide Heritage Town are examples of how the tourism potential in this area is being addressed.
