Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Projects.

David Stanton

Ceist:

97 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the projects under marine and natural resources, tourism subhead D3, coastal protection and management subhead E and development and upgrading of harbours for fishery purposes subhead G1, which saved money due to the projects being delayed; the amount involved in the case of each project; when he expects each project to begin; if he will be in a position to fund each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29820/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The position in relation to savings this year under the three subheads referred to by the Deputy is as follows:

Subhead	Programme	ProjectedExpenditurein 2000(£000s)	ProjectedSavingsin 2000(£000s)
D3	Marine tourism and leisure	5,172	4,850
G1	Fishery harbours	11,000	3,500
E	Coast protection	5,600	1,500

In so far as the coast protection and fishery harbour programmes are concerned the savings are due to delays in the commencement of, and slower than expected progress on, a number of projects.

I will arrange for a definitive list of these projects to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as the local authorities provide their final reports and claims and the final expenditure figures for 2000 can be ascertained.

In so far as the marine tourism and leisure programme is concerned, the savings arise for three reasons. First, the fact that the marine tourism and leisure scheme could not be finalised pending the approval by the European Commission of the regional operational programmes of the National Development Programme, 2000-2006, and a sum of £3 million. Such approval was forthcoming in November. Second, a scheme which will facilitate the provision of grant aid to mining tourism projects will not be in place until January 2001, which will cost £1.78 million approximately. Third, funding to cover the expenses and outgoings of the adventure activity standards authority could not be disbursed pending the enactment, expected next year, of the legislation establishing that body at a cost of £60,000.