Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications submitted to his Department as a result of the announcement of the inclusion of the mid-Shannon regions as a designated tourism incentive area for each year since its introduction; and the funding available in the estimates for such projects. [28760/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme, which was introduced in section 29 of the Finance Act 2007 and launched in June 2008, provides tax incentives for investment in tourism attractions and facilities in the designated Mid-Shannon Corridor. The approval and certification of projects under the Scheme is a matter for the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Board in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in consultation with the Minister for Finance. As the scheme takes the form of a tax incentive, it is not funded through the annual Estimates.

The Mid-Shannon Board and the executive teams within Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development have extensively promoted the Scheme since its commencement date. Information seminars have been held with industry groups throughout the targeted region and local authorities have also been engaged to ensure their support for the Scheme and projects that might result from it. I am advised that, to date, a total of nine applications have been submitted to Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development for consideration under the Scheme. One of these applications was submitted to the Mid Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Board a week ago and was approved. The remaining eight applications are currently being reviewed. It is anticipated that two more applications will be submitted to the Mid Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Board for evaluation within the next four weeks.

The Finance Act 2009 made provision to extend the period during which such applications can be made from one year to two years so that the latest date for the submission of applications is now 31 May, 2010. The eligible period within which expenditure must be incurred for capital allowances purposes has also been extended to 31 May, 2013.