I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 37 and 48 together as they all relate to the tourism growth targets set out in the Programme for National Recovery.
As the House is aware, a Central Review Committee, comprising representatives of the parties to the Programme for National Recovery, has been established to monitor implementation of the programme. Statements issued on the implementation of the programme, including the job creation targets, have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I understand that further statements will be issued from time to time. The employment arising from the improved tourism performance will be monitored using sectoral employment surveys conducted by the Central Statistics Office, in conjunction with data on tourism revenue.
The tourism growth targets, as set out in the programme, relate to tourism revenue and numbers and job creation. On the basis of tourism performance in 1987 and the indications for 1988, I am confident that these targets are both realistic and attainable.
While there are no revenue figures available as yet for 1988, market estimates for the first nine months show an increase of some 13 per cent in overseas visitor numbers compared with the corresponding period in 1987. This is very close to the 15 per cent growth target set by Government. Growth of this order, on top of a 12 per cent increase in visitor numbers in 1987 when tourism revenue passed the £1 billion mark for the first time, is already estimated to have created over 12,000 extra jobs in the economy over the two years 1987 and 1988.