Vol. 470 No. 7
31 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Marine the reason the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board did not receive an allocation under the tourism angling measures in 1994 and 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18368/96]
Almost 70 projects around the country, involving total investment of over £7 million, have been approved to date under the Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism. Applications may be made by fisheries boards, other State agencies, community groups, angling clubs, private bodies and individuals. There is no specific earmarking of funds under the measure for the fisheries boards or for particular regions. All applications are assessed on their merits and compliance with the criteria under the measure. Project approvals under the programme in 1994 and 1995 did not include projects submitted by the eastern board but to date in 1996 two projects submitted by that board, involving investment of £40,000, have been approved. The projects involve the provision of sea angling signposting along the east coast and the development of Loughs Bracken and Castle in counties Louth and Cavan respectively.
Total investment to date under the tourism angling measure in the Eastern Fisheries Board area, including projects sponsored by groups other than the fisheries board, amounts to £116,000. I hope, and expect, that the present low level of investment in the eastern region will increase over the remainder of the programme but it is the case that the actual allocation of funding to a board or any other organisation or group will depend on the quantity, quality and nature of project applications made.
