Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Tourism Information Offices.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

52 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if funding is available under the Tourism Operational Programme or the INTERREG II programme towards the provision of adequate tourism information offices at county town level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6016/97]

Funding is available under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, the INTERREG II programme and Bord Fáilte's capital development fund towards the development and upgrading of tourist information offices.

The six regional tourism authorities, together with Shannon Development, operate a national network of tourist information offices. In 1996, the network comprised 94 offices, of which 38 were open all-year round and 56 were seasonal offices. In addition, at locations which do not justify a tourist information office, but where visitor demand or potential for tourism exists, tourist information points are established. These are either display and sales stands, tourist literature at visitor attractions or tourist-related businesses; or unmanned display boards with maps and tourist information at strategic points in towns or lay-bys.

The level of EU funding currently available is expected to result in a total investment of in excess of £11 million in the tourist information office network over the period 1994-1999.
Barr
Roinn