The national development plan, 2000-06, has been published and includes an outline of the Government's proposals for the development of the tourism industry over that period. The plan provides for two regional operational programmes, the Border, midlands and western – BMW – regional operational programme and the southern and eastern – SAE – regional operational programme, which will incorporate the specific provisions being made for the development of tourism product in these regions.
These operational programmes, which are likely to be published in the first half of this year, will outline in more detail the type of product eligible for support. While full details of the regional operational programmes have not been finalised, it is not envisaged that accommodation or leisure centres attached to accommodation will be eligible for support.