Vol. 445 No. 6
85 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if, in view of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994 to 1999, he will give the projected level of State, EU and private sector funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [580/94]
The Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994 to 1999 provides for total investment of £652 million over the six year period. Of this amount £369 million is being provided by the European Union, £84 by the State sector and £199 million by the private sector.
86 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his role in determining funding for heritage attractions under the new Operational Programme for Tourism. [706/94]
Under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, my Department has been designated as the national authority in charge of Programme management. In exercising this role, my Department will chair and service the National Monitoring Committee for the Programme which will have the general power to modify the budgets of individual sub-programmes in agreement with my Department and the European Commission. A subsidiary committee, the Tourism OP Co-ordinating Committee, also chaired and serviced by my Department, will have the general power to adjust similar budgets at measure level within each Sub-Programme. All of the Departments and agencies participating in the programme are represented on these committees.
The majority of funding for heritage projects in the Programme is being made available through the Natural/ Cultural Tourism Sub-Programme, which is being administered by the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the Office of Public Works.
Decisions in relation to which heritage projects will qualify for EU funding will be made by these Departments under this Sub-Programme.
