The Mid-Shannon Scheme provides tax relief on the construction or refurbishment of certain tourism facilities in the Mid-Shannon area which extends from O’Briensbridge in Co. Clare to Lough Ree, Co. Roscommon. A considerable area of west Co. Offaly is included. The Scheme was launched in June 2008 and there have been a number of approvals to date. It provides a unique opportunity for tourism enterprises in West Offaly to use tax relief to help finance the construction or refurbishment of their facilities and also for passive investors who may wish to avail of the relief for offset against rental and other income.
The types of qualifying tourism facilities include:
- education tourism facilities;
- visitor attractions/centres;
- cultural facilities;
- wellness and self-development – amenities and facilities;
- equestrian facilities;
- facilities for water sports;
- training facilities for adventure; activities and/or simulated facilities;
- facilities for boat rental and inland cruising;
- outdoor activity centres;
- certain restaurants and cafés;
- registered holiday camps
The final deadline for applications to the scheme is 31 May 2010. Please note that because a condition of application to the scheme is that a planning application has been lodged with the Planning Authority, potential applicants are advised to partake in pre-planning consultations with Offaly County Council as soon as possible in order that the necessary planning application can be prepared in time by your agent. To assist potential projects in the county, Offaly County Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, intend to shortly organise Project Advice Clinics, where potential applicants can avail of the opportunity to discuss their project ideas in confidence with a planning officer and a regional tourism executive.
For further information on the Scheme, or to make an appointment to attend a Project Advice Clinic, contact Ruairi Deane, Tourism Product Development, Shannon Development (Tel. 061-710228, deaner@shannondevelopment.ie). Full details of the Scheme are available from www.ShannonDevelopment.ie.
Click on the Map to view the Mid Shannon Corridor