Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has satisfied himself that adequate facilities exist in the catering, accommodation and other service areas required for the expansion of the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16077/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the degree to which he expects investment in tourism infrastructure to meet demands in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16080/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 207 together.

As I have already indicated to the Deputy in reply to Questions Nos. 50 and 264 on 18 April 2000, the Irish tourism industry has benefited from a substantial round of capital investment, undertaken with the support of the 1989-93 and 1994-99 EU co-funded Operational Programmes for Tourism. This investment, totalling £739 million, has assisted in the upgrading of existing facilities and the addition of new ones, and has been across a wide range of facilities, whose existence has assisted in no small way in the growth and maintenance of visitor numbers.

Furthermore, an impressive expansion of tourist accommodation over the same period has resulted in increased competition and higher standards across all categories.

While I am satisfied that levels and standards of facilities in the tourism industry have improved, there is no room for complacency. That is why in my discussions with the industry I continue to emphasise the need for maintaining high standards in order to meet the needs of our discerning overseas visitors.

To ensure that our tourism product continues to keep pace with, if not ahead of our international competitors, I have secured £100 million under the national development plan for tourism product development over the next seven years. This will be allocated under the two regional operational programmes. These two programmes also include funds under the aegis of other Ministers for areas such as marine leisure, angling and rural tourism, which will benefit the sector, while expenditure in the cultural development and micro-enterprise areas will also support the development of tourism product. The strategy for tourism product development under the programmes will be based on the needs of areas, having regard to whether they are developed, developing or undeveloped.

One of the main priorities for funding will be to support investment in a small number of strategically located major new attractions where none currently exist and also in the packaging, presentation and, where necessary, completion of a limited number of significant clusters of attractions in less developed tourist areas which have the potential to generate greater foreign tourism revenue and stimulate private investment in the provision of further tourist services.

However, tourism cannot be developed in isolation. Investment in non-national roads, rural water supply, waste management and litter control are essential to the strategy of facilitating the expansion of tourism into more remote areas and maintaining a sustainable tourism product in more developed areas. If the relevant local and other authorities do not deliver the necessary infrastructure, facilities and controls, it will be difficult to successfully realise our national tourism strategy.