Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant-Aiding Tourism.

Helen Keogh

Ceist:

45 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the steps, if any, he is taking to achieve a more rational co-ordination of State and grant-aiding agencies promoting tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13433/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

My Department plays the lead role in co-ordinating State expenditure on tourism.

As I indicated in response to a previous similar parliamentary question, the primary vehicle for grant-aiding tourism currently is the Operational Programme for Tourism (1994-1999). A co-ordinating committee, chaired by my Department, meets on a regular basis to ensure a coherent approach to the administration of the programme. The committee is comprised of representatives of all agencies involved in implementing and administering the programme, including the Departments of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Education, Marine, and Tourism and Trade, Bord Fáilte, Central Fisheries Board, CERT, Office of Public Works and Shannon Development.

There is also a National Monitoring Committee for the Operational Programme, again chaired by my Department, comprised of representatives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, relevant Government Departments, the Tourism Agencies, Tourism Industry, Farming and Trade Union interests. This committee has general responsibility for ensuring smooth implementation in pursuit of programme objectives. In addition, my Department, and, as appropriate, Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development, are represented at monitoring committee level for other Operational Programmes contributing to the development of the tourism industry e.g. INTERREG (Northern Ireland and Maritime), the Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, and the International Fund for Ireland. They are also represented on the appropriate regional structures for monitoring the implementation of the Community Support Framework as a whole.

Co-ordination of grant-aid for the tourism sector is afforded a high priority, and I am satisfied that the existence of these co-ordinating mechanisms will ensure that that priority is maintained and will go a long way towards eliminating the potential for overlap or duplication. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.