Vol. 573 No. 3
417 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason only ?3.5 million has been allocated under the Fáilte Ireland budget for the development of tourism projects; the plans he has to increase this element of the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25151/03]
The main source of general funding at present available under the aegis of my Department for the development of tourism capital projects is the tourism product development scheme.
This scheme, which is funded, in part, under the European Regional Development Fund, supports investment in tourism product over the period of the National Development Plan, 2000-2006 and is administered directly by Fáilte Ireland. Decisions in respect of individual grant applications are made by independent product management boards specifically set up for this purpose. I have no statutory role in the allocation of funds to specific projects under the scheme.
Details of Exchequer allocations for 2004 in respect of tourism expenditures will be included in the Abridged Estimates Volume to be published later this month.
