Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 328: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding avenues available to prospective applicants who are endeavouring to establish rural tourism initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20568/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware that I launched the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme on Tuesday 20th May. The process of selecting Local Action Groups for the delivery of the LEADER element began with the publication of advertisements in the National newspapers on Wednesday 21st May. The selection process will run over the coming months and will culminate in the selection of Local Action Groups and the allocation of funding on the basis of recommendations from independent evaluators. The final allocations will be subject to Government approval.

Opportunities for funding for rural tourism will be available under the following measures of the Programme:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families. Funding will be available, inter alia, for the renovation of farm buildings for tourism purposes and the provision of facilities for walking, cycling, angling and pony trekking. Funding will also be available under this measure for the development of niche tourism and educational services such as arts and crafts, speciality food provision and open farms. Funding of €16.6m will be available under this measure.

Encouragement of tourism activities. Funding will be available for the analysis and provision of infrastructural needs for tourism, the maintenance of vernacular features such as disused railway lines, canal towpaths, &c., the development of the use of forests for tourism and recreation and the development of niche tourism such as arts and crafts, ecotourism, genealogy and archaeology. Funding of €45.4m will be available under this measure.

In addition the Rural Development Fund which is operated through my Department provides finance for policy-oriented research, evaluations and pilot actions in rural development and is currently providing assistance to a number of tourism related initiatives.