Written answers

Thursday, 14 February 2008

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Tourism Development

5:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding to be made available in 2008 under the LEADER programme for the development of rural tourism; the regions that will be targeted by this investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5516/08]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the meetings he has had or is proposing to have with the Department of Agriculture and Food in relation to the development of rural areas and with a specific view of developing agri-tourism; if he has granted funding in relation to such development; if so, the persons to whom and the amount of funding involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5590/08]

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has initiated a study into the development of farm based tourism; his intentions in relation to the development of farm based visitor attractions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5519/08]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding that will be made available in 2008 under the LEADER programme for the development of rural tourism; the regions that will be targeted by this investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5686/08]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 33, 44 and 141 together.

The new Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-13 will be delivered by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 and 4 of the Programme. Axis 3 focuses on the Quality of Life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy, while Axis 4 deals with the administration of the Local Action Groups who will deliver the measures in Axis 3. Specific measures and projects under the Programme, including agri-tourism projects will be approved through the Local Action Groups that deliver the Programme on the ground throughout the country.

Axis 3 and 4 of the new Programme include measures which should provide significant opportunities in the rural/agri-tourism sectors. Two measures, in particular, are relevant. Firstly, the Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities measure, which has an overall budget of €16.66m, and will support the development of tourism facilities and the development of niche tourism and educational services. Secondly, the objective of the Encouragement of Tourism Activities measure, with a budget of €45.4m, is to maximise the tourism potential of all rural areas. The allocations referred to are for the duration of the Programme; there is no specific allocation for any one year. The areas to be covered will be those outside the local authority boundaries of the "Hub" and "Gateway" towns and cities identified in the National Spatial Strategy.

My Department maintains regular contact with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the implementation of the Programme, including tourism measures. In addition, no specific discussions have been held with that Department on tourism related issues but discussions with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Fáilte Ireland in relation to the specific tourism-related measures in the Programme take place as required.

My Department has not grant-aided agri-tourism projects but Local Action Groups involved in the delivery of past LEADER Programmes have. I have not commissioned any studies into the development of farm-based tourism; however, the Programme does provide for such studies or analysis where required.

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