Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of applications to the mid-Shannon tourism infrastructure investment scheme; the number of successful applications and the estimated amount of tax to be foregone; if a cohesive plan has been developed to ensure that the region as a whole benefits from this incentive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27252/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, 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 guidelines issued by the Minister with responsibility for the tourism portfolio, in consultation with the Minister for Finance. The Mid-Shannon Board and the executive teams within Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development have extensively promoted the Scheme since its commencement.

I am advised that, to date, a total of seven applications have been submitted to Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development for consideration under the Scheme. Five have been approved to date. The cost to the Exchequer of projects under the Scheme, based on a strict assessment, are in effect nil to date as only one project has reached construction stage. It is not possible to assess the tax foregone as the project is not yet operational and the final certified construction costs are not available to date.

In considering projects for approval, the Mid-Shannon Board is required under the Guidelines for the Scheme to take into consideration all relevant policies and strategies. In particular the promoters of a proposed project must be able to demonstrate to the Board's satisfaction that the proposed project is in accordance with relevant National Tourism Policy (setting out clearly how the proposed project will contribute to policy objectives), in particular, as laid down in New Horizons for Irish Tourism – An Agenda for Action, Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Product Development Strategy 2007-13 and the Regional Tourism Development Strategies developed by the relevant Regional Tourism Development Boards and Shannon Development which apply to the Qualifying Area.