Almost 3 Million Euro For Tourism Projects

This funding is in addition to over €22 million in Tourism Infrastructure Fund grants already announced since 2007.

The grants approved include over €1.26m for environmental works; over €740,000 for the development of walking routes; €420,000 for beach management works, over €255,000 for the development of angling facilities, including facilities for disabled anglers; over €110,000 for the development of cycle routes; and €189,000 for remedial works on the River Shannon and Shannon-Erne waterway.

The National Development Plan 2007-13, "Transforming Ireland", provides for a total Exchequer investment in tourism 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 the National Conference Centre in Dublin.

The focus of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which was launched in 2007, is on supporting local authorities and other key infrastructure providers to develop appropriate facilities for tourists.

It targets facilities such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic interest, and signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and historic towns.

Mr Cullen said: "Recent Central Statistics Office figures show that the Irish tourism sector is continuing to be resilient in the face of a challenging domestic and international economic climate.

"It is important that we continue to invest in facilities for tourists, so that Ireland continues to be well-positioned to take full advantage of our key markets overseas.

"The Tourism Infrastructure Grants announced today will help to underpin future tourism sector performance by providing a more attractive visitor experience to meet the needs of a more discerning international and domestic tourist," he concluded.