Vol. 467 No. 4
47 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the additional measures, if any, that have been taken since the cessation of violence in August 1994, to strengthen the tourism infrastructure in the Border region; the efforts, if any, that are being made to market this area as an attractive visitor destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13406/96]
A wide range of measures have been undertaken under the aegis of my Department to promote tourism in the Border counties since the cessation of violence in August 1994. In addition to assistance from the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999, the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG is making £10 million available for projects of a cultural, heritage, tourism and marketing nature specifically in the Border counties. To date, a large number of applications have come forward under INTERREG and Bord Fáilte is currently evaluating all projects to ensure that those which receive support will make a significant contribution to the development of tourism in the area.
The International Fund for Ireland has made £1 million available to Ireland for the development of tourism initiatives during 1996. This includes marketing, human resource development and product development and, as in the case of INTERREG, many of the projects funded are joint initiatives between Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Finally, the special programme for peace and reconciliation hopes to use tourism as a catalyst for urban and rural regeneration and it is providing grants through county council led task forces for suitable community led projects. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte are also exploring the possibility of further joint marketing actions under the measure of the special programme which encourages interagency co-operation.
