Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation whether his Department has disbursed funds for water leisure activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16524/98]
Written Answers. - Tourism Funding.
Neither I nor my Department have any funding mechanism available in respect of water-based tourism activities. Development plans and related funding for this important sector are provided for under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, and delivered through the relevant State agencies. In relation to product development and marketing, grant decisions are made by independent management boards on individual grant applications.
The operational programme also includes, under measure three of its product development sub-programme, assistance for angling development to ensure that our coarse and sea angling is upgraded to the best international standards. This measure is administered by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Measure four of the sub-programme includes assistance for the purchase of angling boats, the provision of good mooring facilities, the development of yacht chartering operations, sail training and other marine tourism facilities, enabling visitors to be provided with sailing vessels on their arrival in Ireland, and the development of a number of new cruising bases.
Aside from tourism the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sport and recreational facilities in Ireland. Clubs and organisations engaged in water leisure activities are eligible for funding under the programme. All available funds were allocated to projects in April last and a review of the programme is currently being undertaken. Following this review, I will be in a position to publicise details of the new schemes.