Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2007
186 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the funding spent under the National Development Plan up to the end of 2006 for the development of the angling sector; the projected spend for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12210/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the funding allocated under the Tourism and Recreational Angling Measure of the National Development Plan (2000-2006) was curtailed on foot of a decision made during 2002 in the context of other budgetary priorities. A limited number of projects were approved for funding by the Tourism Product Selection Board and expenditure of €1,219,179 was incurred towards the end of 2002.
The mid-term evaluation by the ESRI of the NDP 2000-2006 in respect of the Marine Tourism sub-measure recommended that the indicative budget for this scheme be reallocated to other priority tourism measures. As a result there was no further expenditure for the remainder of the term of the programme.
Under the new National Development Programme (2007-2013), investment in the development of the angling sector will be channelled through various NDP programmes including the Tourism Programme as well as the Marine and Coastal Communities Programme. Details of projected spend in 2007 and beyond will become available as sub-programmes are developed.
