PRESS RELEASE
30th July
2007
MINISTER UNVEILS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS OF OVER €6m
FOR 50 PROJECTS THROUGHOUT COUNTRY
BRENNAN- "TO CONTINUE TO GROW TOURISM IRELAND MUST
CONSTANTLY REFRESH, UPGRADE & EXPAND FACILITIES FOR
TOURISTS"
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Séamus Brennan
T.D. today (Monday, 30th July, 2007) unveiled details of more than
€6 million that has been allocated under Fáilte
Ireland's Tourism Infrastructure Fund to 50 tourism projects around
the country (full details attached).
The €6.1m grant approvals figure includes more than
€2.5m for various walking and cycling routes, including
almost €500, 000 for elements of a national coastal walk;
more than €2.25m for environment and visitor management
works; and almost €1m for improvement and management works at
Blue Flag beaches.
The National Development Plan 2007-13, "Transforming Ireland",
provides for a total Exchequer investment of €800m over the
seven years, including a product development and infrastructure
sub-programme of €317m to upgrade and supplement Ireland's
tourism attractions and activities, and to deliver a National
Conference Centre in Dublin.
The Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which targets facilities such
as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling
stands, access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic
interest, signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and
historic towns, is the first initiative to be rolled out under this
sub-programme.
Minister Brennan signaled today that many other initiatives
targeted at upgrading and developing major visitor attractions and
visitor activity facilities will be launched over the coming months
to build on Fáilte Ireland's seven year Tourism Product
Development Strategy which was published earlier this
year.
Minister Brennan said: "Ireland''s sweeping countryside, great
stretches of unspoilt coastline and engrossing heritage and culture
are all key ingredients in positioning Ireland as a vibrant
activity holiday destination for walking, cycling, angling and
water-based pursuits. I am confident that the projects being
supported will help local authorities and others to address tourism
infrastructure deficits and enhance their areas' overall
attractiveness to visitors. With up to €25m available under
the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, I look forward over the coming
months and years to unveiling further grants and supports."
Minister Brennan added: "Tourism last year attracted 7 million
foreign visitors and it is an industry that is vitally important
to the Irish economy, generating some €6 billion in revenue
each year and employing 250,000 people. If we are to continue to
grow this sector then we must avoid any tendency to take tourism
for granted and instead we must commit to constantly refreshing,
upgrading and expanding tourism facilities to meet the
ever-changing requirements of tourists. As a country, we have to be
always striving to create and deliver a unique tourism experience
that will make visitors, both from home and abroad, want to holiday
again and again in Ireland".
The successful projects announced today were approved by the
Fáilte Ireland Authority following an assessment of proposals
received from local authorities and other development bodies
throughout the country.
[ENDS]
Further information- Tom Rowley 087 8124723
James Edwards (01)
6313838
Details of Projects for
which Grants have been Approved
Carlow Local Authorities
- Carlow Heritage Trails - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €163,925, for the provision
of signage and other improvements in relation to various heritage
trails and the Brownshill Dolmen.
- Carlow Looped Walks - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure,
up to a maximum of €30,179, for the development at Oak Park
Forest Park
Cavan Co. Co.
Various walking routes - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €203,572 for
development of six loop walks throughout the county.
Clare Co. Co.
Blackhead Angling Facilities - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €129,000, for the
provision of parking areas at Blackhead.
Cork Co. Co.
- Blackwater Valley Loop Walks Project - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €40,821, for the
provision of trail furniture, signage, etc in respect of
three loop walks.
- Mullaghareirk Loop Walk - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €23,126, for the provision of
signage, etc.
- Reenascreena Loop Walk- grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €41,093, for the provision of
signage, etc.
Donegal Co. Co.
- Various Loop Walks - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure,
up to a maximum of €159,251 towards three walking
routes.
- Ballyshannon Hub Cycle Route - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €61,688, towards the
development of cycle ways.
- Angling Facilities - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure,
up to a maximum of €143,186, towards angling facilities at
two locations.
- Environment Projects - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €83,220, towards
environmental infrastructure works.
- National Coastal Walk - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €49,125, towards a coastal
walk at Inishowen.
- Pilot Beach Management Project - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €219,182, to allow managed
access to Rossnowlagh beach.
Dublin - Fingal Co. Co.
Coastal Walks Project - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €274,500, for the
development of coastal walks at Portmarnock and Portrane.
Galway Co. Co.
- 5 Blue Flag Beaches - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure,
up to a maximum of €171,088 for the upgrade and improvement
of facilities.
- Kilronan Pier, Inis Mor - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €55,849, for the provision of
quality public toilet facilities for visitors.
- Lough Derg International Waterpark - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €93,413 for
environmental works at Portumna Quay.
Kerry Co. Co.
River Lee Walking and Cycling Route - grant aid of
75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €416,640, for
the development of 1.7km of walkway along the River Lee
Kilkenny Co. Co.
River Nore Linear Park -grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €78,634, for the
development of loop walking / cycling pathways.
Laois Co. Co.
Slieve Blooms Signposting- grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €93,750, for a
comprehensive re-signing project.
Limerick City Co.
Limerick City Riverside Strategy - grant aid of 75%
of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €1,595,341
towards the upgrade of Clancy Strand and the creation of Curragour
Riverside Park.
Limerick - Ballyhoura Failte
Ballyhoura - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €130,298 to support the
development of additional walking trails in the area.
Louth Co. Co.
The Táin Looped Walks and Enhancement Works -
grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of
€213,750 for the development of loop walks in the Cooley
Mountains and the refurbishment of the area known as the Long
Woman's Grave.
Mayo Co. Co.
- Achill Hub Cycle Route - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €33,000, towards the
development of 65 km of cycle ways.
- Westport Hub Cycle Route - grant aid of 75% of eligible
expenditure, up to a maximum of €88,004, towards the
development of 24 km of cycle ways.
- Carrowmore Strand, Louisburgh, Dooega Beach, Achill and Ross
Beach, Killala - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a
maximum of €112,500 each, for the improvement of visitor
facilities at these Blue Flag beachs.
Meath Co. Co.
Meath Heritage Walking Routes - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €174,185 for the
provision of signage, information boards, etc in respect of
three walks.
Sligo Borough Co.
Doorly Park Looped Cycle Route/Walking Route -
grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of
€93,406, towards the development of new cycling and walking
amenities.
Sligo Co. Co.
- Strandhill Visitor Management Project - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €164,250, to address
congestion issues.
- Drumcliffe Visitor Management Project (phase 1) - grant aid of
75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €191,880, for
improved parking facilities and the implementation of traffic
control measures.
- Rosses Point Promenade Enhancement Project (Phase 1) - grant
aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of
€84,960, for physical enhancement works.
Tipperary Co. Co.
Lough Doire Looped Walk - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €31,500, for the
development of loop walks at Lough Doire.
Waterford Co. Co.
Dunmore East Beach & Tourism Amenity
Development - grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a
maximum of €236,250 for restoration, amenity development and
beach management work at the Blue Flag Beach.
Westmeath Co. Co.
Mullingar Cycling Hub - grant aid of 75% of
eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €94,500, for the
provision of the infrastructure necessary to establish Mullingar as
a Cycling Hub Town.
Wicklow - Bray Town Council
Bray-Greystones Cliff Walk Improvements - grant aid
of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €77,625 to
upgrade part of the walk as part of a phased improvement.
