asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, if view of the increasing demand for farm holidays in this country from overseas visitors, he will give all possible financial support to Bord Fáilte for the advertising of Irish farm holiday accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Farm Holiday Accommodation.
38.
Funds are provided under subhead F.1. (1) of my Department's Vote for the administration, operational and general expenses of Bord Fáilte. The board's advertising and marketing activities are financed out of this subhead. Over the years funds have been provided for Bord Fáilte on an ever-increasing scale and at as high a level as possible. In the current year the provision under this particular subhead is £4.25 million as compared with £3.35 million in 1971-72, an increase of almost 27 per cent.
The amount of money to be spent on advertising or promoting any particular tourism activity is a matter for Bord Fáilte. I am informed by the board that they attach considerable importance to the development of farmhouse holidays. They give every possible support, financial and otherwise, for the marketing of them and in this work they have the active co-operation of Fáilte Tuaithe, the organisation catering for farmhouse holiday operators.