Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received representations relating to difficulties being experienced by persons seeking access to grants for tourist site upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37428/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of Tourism traffic within and to the State and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State.

Fáilte Ireland administers the Tourism Capital Investment Programme (TCIP), which provides support for the development of major visitor attractions and visitor activities.

Applications for support in the categories of Visitor Attractions and Visitor Activities were invited by way of public advertisement by Fáilte Ireland in Spring 2008. The closing date for applications was end-April 2008.

From time to time I receive representations from the promoters of projects, or from public representatives on their behalf, in relation to funding under this programme. In my replies, I have always made clear that the administration of the programme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, and that I do not have any role in the decision-making process in respect of individual projects.

I understand that the Deputy's question may relate to a small number of projects that have been provisionally approved for funding by Fáilte Ireland, but are delayed due to difficulties promoters are experiencing in providing the matching amount of own funding required under the programme. In this regard, the maximum level of the grant available as a proportion of the overall project is set out in the guidelines governing the programme and this takes into account the relevant EU State Aid rules. While I appreciate that some promoters have had difficulty in securing adequate levels of finance, Fáilte Ireland have to abide by the terms of the programme, including EU State Aid rules, which require minimum levels of matched funding.