asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will provide extra financial assistance to help both in the promotion and marketing of Irish tourism during the 1984 season.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Promotion.
4.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the amount of money allocated to Bord Fáilte for promotional and marketing activities in 1984.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
In 1984, £14,972,000 has been made available to Bord Fáilte for promotion and marketing. This includes an additional £300,000 provided for in this year's budget for promotion and marketing in the USA. Bord Fáilte recently announced a new travel grant scheme under which financial assistance is being made available to help Irish tourism operators to market and promote their products in overseas markets.
The Minister has neglected to tell us how much money was made available to private people marketing tourism abroad.
It was £300,000.
Does the Minister regard that as a satisfactory amount to help the promotion of tourism in America? It has been estimated by Bord Fáilte that proper promotion of tourism in America would increase the numbers coming here by 10 per cent. Does he think the amount being given is satisfactory in present circumstances?
A total of £14.972 million has been made available to Bord Fáilte. They have got discretion and it is up to them to make any changes they think necessary. The £300,000 provided is extra.
Bord Fáilte's discretion is only marginal. They have to cater for promotion and marketing worldwide, including America, Europe and other countries. They have to maintain a structure in those countries. To do this with inflation of 10 per cent they would have needed another £1.4 million. The fact that only £300,000 was provided indicates that the Minister does not appreciate the need to promote tourism. Has he put forward proposals to the Government to help to promote the only growth industry in Ireland? What is he doing about it?
The figure this year is a 7 per cent increase on 1983. This is a substantial increase in our present budgetary situation. Naturally, I agree with the Deputy that when the financial situation improves the promotion of tourism will be pressed forward.
Does the Minister agree there is a bigger return, pound for pound, to the Exchequer——
That is argument and we cannot have argument at Question Time.
I am asking him, does he agree there is a bigger return to the Exchequer, pound for pound, from tourism than from any other industry? Why then will the Minister not give extra money for the promotion of this industry?
The importance of the industry is fully appreciated by the Government and, within budgetary constraints in the current year, £14.9 million has been made available. This is the maximum possible with the exigencies of the budget position.
6.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he noted a report in an Irish Sunday newspaper of 6 May that Irish groups in the UK are finding it more economical to arrange trips to continental Europe rather than to Ireland; and if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have seen the report referred to in the Deputy's question. Comparisons such as those mentioned are not, I consider, valid given the wide range of holiday offers available in most tourist destinations. Full details of the type and standard of transport and accommodation involved in such offers would be required before a proper comparison could be attempted. I am advised that, comparing like with like, Ireland offers value for money.