Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which projects in the arts, sports or tourism sector are emerging to avail of the innovation fund targeted at gateway cities and towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31542/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 191 of 12 December 2007.

The closing date for submissions of proposals for funding under the Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF) was 15 November 2007 and proposals have been received from all nine gateways in respect of the €300 million Fund. These proposals are currently being evaluated by the GIF Management Committee (with appropriate input from other Departments and agencies as required), against the criteria set down in the original Call for Proposals which issued in June 2007. Goodbody Economic Consultants have also been commissioned to assist in the evaluation process and in particular on the financial robustness of the proposals.

The GIF Management Committee will make funding recommendations jointly to the Minister for Finance and myself. Together with the Minister for Finance, I intend to bring recommendations on funding allocations to Government for approval in the first quarter of 2008.

The proposals include a wide spectrum of projects: projects in the arts, sports and tourism sector are well represented amongst the proposals. In addition, there are a number of other projects, including projects aimed at improving the public realm, which have the potential to improve the tourism potential of certain of the gateways.