Vol. 477 No. 4
12 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the projects, if any, assisted to date under the tourism measure of the INTERREG II Programme; the level of funding per project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9348/97]
In my reply to Deputies Brendan Smith and Kathleen Lynch on 25 June 1996 — Official Report, volume 467, No. 4, cols. 969-970 — I provided details of tourism projects approved for funding under the Ireland-Northern Ireland and Maritime INTERREG II programmes up to that date.
On 26 November 1996, in a further reply to Deputy Brendan Smith — volume 472, No. 1, cols 232-233 — I provided details of nine additional projects approved under the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG II Programme and one approved under the Ireland-Wales Maritime INTERREG II Programme.
Since then, a further four projects have been approved under the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG II Programme, details of which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. In addition, I understand that approval in principle was granted recently for four more projects but, as letters of offer have not yet been issued, I am not in a position to give details.
In so far as the Ireland-Wales Maritime INTERREG II Programme is concerned, a further six projects have been approved in principle since my reply of 26 November 1996, but the implementing agencies await additional information from the respective developers before letters of offer can be issued and details of the projects disclosed.
Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG II Programme
Sub-Programme 1: Regional Development Measure 2:
Tourism Projects (South) Approved since 26th November 1996
|
Applicant |
Project Title |
ERDF Grant (IR£000) |
|
Geological Survey of Ireland |
Landscape Tourism Project |
32.5 |
|
Cavan County Council |
Cavan County Museum Marketing Programme |
22.1 |
|
Ultan Bannon and Samantha Leslie |
Castle Leslie — Phase II — Marketing |
100.0 |
|
Bord Fáilte Éireann |
Tourism Brand Ireland |
375.0 |
|
Total European Regional Development Fund approved |
529.6 |
While not a great fan of the extension of the INTERREG II Programme to areas way beyond the Border, does the Minister agree that the establishment of the Ireland-Wales Maritime INTERREG II Programme was wrong in the first place, taking investment from areas for which the INTERREG Programme was first designated, namely the six southern and six northern Border counties? In responding to an earlier question the Minister referred to the small amount of grant assistance available from the International Fund for Ireland and INTERREG II for the provision of tourist accommodation, particularly small hotels and additional bed and breakfasts. With this in mind, will he impress on those agencies dealing directly with the INTERREG Programme the shortage of that type of accommodation in Border counties such as Cavan and Monaghan? For the remainder of the INTERREG Programme I am particularly anxious that a substantial proportion of funding is made available specifically for the provision of additional bed and breakfast accommodation and upgrading the existing small hotels sector.
I share the Deputy's view which has been expressed to me by quite a number of people.
As he will be aware, we are at present dealing with the mid-term review of the Operational Programme for Tourism from 1997 to 1999. I make no secret of the fact that one of my recommendations is that the smaller family-run accommodation sector should receive support. I cannot predict the outcome of all these negotiations — the process of evaluation of the second half of the programme will probably not be completed until approximately July next.
What the Deputy said in respect of INTERREG funding in this area in regard to bed and breakfast and guesthouse accommodation is dealt with in a separate question.
I am glad the Minister will use the influence of his office to encourage additional investment in the small hotels and bed and breakfast sector. We must remember that over a period of 25 years, if not more, these business people suffered immeasurably because of the troubles on their doorsteps, making it impossible to adequately invest in necessary expansion. While great strides have been made in the provision of some top-class hotels and the upgrading of others, there remains a shortage of that type of accommodation, with a need for some grant assistance to encourage additional investment in that area. I am glad the Minister will recommend that to the relevant agencies. I appeal to him especially to devote whatever funding remains within the tourism component of the INTERREG II Programme to that sector.
There are specific committees dealing with the disbursal of these funds, not under my or my Department's control, based on the quality of the projects and applications submitted, quite a number of which do not relate to the accommodation sector who must take decisions on relevant submissions received but I will bear the Deputy's concerns in mind.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
