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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 1

Written Answers. - Convention Centres.

Brendan McGahon

Ceist:

64 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will set out his policy on the setting up of national and regional convention centres. [21490/97]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will set out his policy on the setting up of national and regional convention centres. [21489/97]

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 64 and 76 together.

The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 makes provision, under measure one of its product development sub-programme, for ERDF support for the development of a large dedicated conference centre capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates to be located in Dublin. A new tender procedure to develop such a facility is under way, under the auspices of the independent management board for product development within Bord Fáilte, and six qualified applicants have confirmed their intention to submit full tenders before the three month deadline for such submissions, i.e. by the end of January next year, following which the tenders will be assessed.

Measure five of that sub-programme also provided assistance for appropriate improvement and upgrading works for conference facilities at hotels of over 30 bedrooms throughout the country. It was designed to encourage hotel proprietors to provide modern facilities, including simultaneous translation and audio-visual equipment, to help attract high yield overseas conference business to their area. A minimum level of investment of £1 million in international standard conference facilities and £50,000 in technological conference support equipment is required in order to qualify for European Regional Development Fund assistance. As in the case of a national conference centre, all applications for grant assistance in this regard are considered by the independent management board for product development within Bord Fáilte.

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