Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, £20 million has been allocated to marine tourism, and targeted particularly at improving marine access infrastructure such as marinas, berths and slipways. The scheme will be part of the two regional operational programmes and funding has been allocated – £6 million for the south and east region and £14 million for the Border, midland and western region.
The scheme is not expected to be in place until later this year and applications cannot be accepted before it is formally launched and applications invited. However, those parties who have expressed an interest in the scheme, including a number from Cobh, will be sent details and application forms as soon as they are available. Once the formal scheme is in place and formal applications received, they will be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the scheme. It is likely that these procedures will require all statutory licensing and planning approvals to be in place before any funds are released to a particular project.