Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:108 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if the heritage budget is expended under the current programme; and if so, the way in which the funds were distributed. [4589/97]
Written Answers. - Heritage Budget.
The main source of funding for heritagecultural facilities under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, is sub-programme one, measures one and two with a total European Regional Development Fund allocation of almost £75 million. Responsibility for the administration of these measures lie with the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht. In addition, within sub-programme two (product development), the tourist information and heritage projects measure provides for grant assistance for the development of heritage towns, interpretative centres and for the improvement of great houses, historical buildings and stately homes. The total European Regional Development Fund allocation for this measure is £35 million of which in excess of £27 million has been committed to approved projects up to the end of 1996. Actual European Regional Development Fund expenditure under the measure to end December 1996 amounted to £7 million.