Latest forecast for investment in 1995 under the specialist accommodation-related developments measure of the operational programme for tourism is £14.8 million to which the European Regional Development Fund is expected to contribute £4.5 million. This is the major source of grant aid for accommodation-related projects, offering assistance for development of conference and leisure facilities, hotel refurbishment and specialist visitor accommodation needs.
Latest forecast for 1995 investment under a separate measure in the programme which deals with special interest holiday facilities for cruising, equestrian, golf, walking and similar tourist activities, is £7.3 million, to which the EU will contribute £2.35 million in grant aid.
Various EU-sponsored programmes under the aegis of other Ministers may also provide support for the tourism developments mentioned by the Deputy. However, I have no information on the amounts likely to be spent on such tourism projects in 1995. I am satisfied that these measures will make a valuable contribution to upgrading the quality and standard of facilities for our visitors in 1995 and subsequent years, enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland as a holiday destination to an increasing number of potential visitors and helping to achieve a better seasonal spread of tourists by the end of the Programme in 1999.