Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004
61 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for the rationalisation of tourism promotion bodies here; the funding made available by the Government to these bodies in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15365/04]
View answerThere has been a fundamental re-organisation of our national tourism agencies in recent years. Following the Good Friday Agreement, Tourism Ireland Limited was established in December 2000 to market the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination. It took over the overseas marketing functions of the then Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Last year, I established a new, statutory National Tourism Development Authority, known as Fáilte Ireland, from a merger of the functions and activities of Bord Fáilte and CERT, the tourism, education, recruitment and training agency.
Structures at sub-national level are currently being reviewed arising from a recommendation in the report of the Tourism Policy Review Group.
Details of the Exchequer funding allocations to the tourism State agencies are contained in the Revised Estimates for public services for 2004, published earlier this year.
62 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the strategy by the Government to attract tourists with disabilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15362/04]
View answerAs indicated in response to Question No. 774 of 30 September 2003, Fáilte Ireland has a voluntary scheme for the validation of all listed and registered accommodation that provides for the needs of people with disabilities.
Responsibility for the development of specific tourism products, including those for people with disabilities, and regions rests with Fáilte Ireland under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.
