Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the regional aid programme in which Athy, County Kildare has now been included can provide funding for initiatives in the area of heritage and tourism; if funding will be provided to support ongoing work of Athy Heritage Centre and Museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Regional Aid Guidelines enable the State to grant State Aid, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. Regional aid is also provided under schemes for tourism grants, marine tourism, urban and rural renewal and other tax-based development schemes. All such aid come from the exchequer, i.e. there is no EU or other external funding.

The 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines enter into force on 01 July 2014. The Guidelines apply to almost all sectors of economic activity, including heritage and tourism. Therefore, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport and their respective agencies will be able to provide State Aid to beneficiaries under the Regional Aid Guidelines if they wish.

As I announced on 25 April, areas accounting for 51.28% of Ireland’s population will be eligible for assistance under the Regional Aid Guidelines. This represents a substantial increase from the 25% originally proposed by the Commission, and an increase from the 50% under the 2007-2013 Map. This means that Kells and Arklow can be added to the areas designated under the current map, and the full range of Regional Aid assistance options will also now be available in Kerry.

Athy has also been added to the upcoming 2014-2020 Regional Aid Map, with the exception of one Electoral District which was excluded from the designated map in order to ensure Ireland adhered to its overall allocated national coverage of 51.28% of population. It is important to note that all of the Country, including those areas not entitled to Investment Aid, can qualify for other forms of State support e.g. Research & Development Aid, SME Investment Aid, Training Aid, and Aid for Environmental protection etc.