In the light of the success achieved in recent years and the excellent prospects for this year, I have recently revised An Bord Tráchtála's overall targets and our objective now is to increase non-food indigenous exports to £6 billion by 1999. Support will be provided under the market development sub-programme incorporated in the operational programme for industrial development, 1994-99. An estimated £450 million, comprising EU, Exchequer and private funding, will be invested over the six year period under the sub-programme, which outlines a number of measures and initiatives which ABT will be taking in conjunction with Irish exporters between now and 1999.
As regards tourism, the Deputy will be aware of its vital importance to the economy. Over 90,000 people are employed in tourism-related enterprises and last year tourism generated over £2 billion in overseas and domestic revenue. I intend to work closely with both Bord Fáilte and the Irish tourism industry to ensure that the sector continues to expand and develop.
A total investment of £125 million is envisaged under the marketing sub-programme of the operational programme for tourism 1994-99. I am confident that this unprecedented investment in the marketing and promotion of Irish tourism, together with the other measures in the operation programme, will ensure that we meet, if not exceed, the targets of 35,000 new jobs and almost £1 billion extra per annum in overseas revenue by 1999.