Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 May 2008
192 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to develop the potential of language based and countryside recreation based tourism and services. [18775/08]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government, my Department has made considerable progress in relation to developing the potential of language based and countryside recreation based tourism and services. In relation to language based tourism and services, my Department has continued to promote the Gaeltacht as a holiday destination in its own right, and, in this regard, particular emphasis has been given to the promotion of tourism on the islands. The focus is on developing products and facilities, providing specific packages for certain sectors (e.g., hotels, islands, Irish summer colleges, etc), and marketing the Gaeltacht as a place in which to learn Irish, as well as a tourist destination of outstanding merit.
Examples of initiatives progressed in 2007-08 include the Ireland North West Marketing Campaign, Ireland West's Connemara Marketing Strategy, marketing at various Holiday Trade Shows, initiation of a pilot community based project to support local product providers in delivering marketable packages to visitors, and the development of partnerships with a view to enhancing the tourism infrastructure provision in Donegal, Galway and Mayo. In 2007, employment figures in the Gaeltacht based tourism sector (language, cultural & service based activities) increased by 25% from 2006. In addition to this, strong working partnerships exist between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Fáilte Ireland, particularly through their regional offices and other tourism organisations, to optimise the opportunities provided by the tourism industry for the Gaeltacht.
My Department has also made substantial progress in terms of enhancing countryside recreation based tourism and services. Progress to date includes:
Publication of a National Countryside Recreation Strategy in September 2006 by Comhairle na Tuaithe;
Development and launch of the ‘Walks Scheme' by my Department, which is currently being piloted on four routes;
Agreement with Fáilte Ireland regarding the employment of 12 Rural Recreation Officers to promote walking tourism in areas where there are clusters of suitable, accessible walks;
Provision of over €1.3m in capital funding to Fáilte Ireland to assist in the development of the national network of looped walks to a total of 50 trailheads and 75 loops;
Funding to Coillte Teo for a joint project with Roscommon County Council, where Coillte has provided 110 acres of land to develop Lough Key Forest Park on a long-term lease, as well as for the development of a motocross course in the Dublin Mountains; and
An allocation of €90,000 (€30,000 per annum from 2006-2008) to Wicklow Uplands Council and Wicklow Rural Partnership to provide a network of access routes over private lands in areas of high scenic and amenity value in County Wicklow.
In addition, my Department is actively pursuing the possibility of using former railway infrastructure as recreational trails for activities such as walking and cycling, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann. I have also provided funding to the Great Southern Trail to upgrade to cycling standard a section of the existing walking trail on the abandoned Limerick to Tralee railway line. Discussions are also continuing with Coillte and Bord na Móna regarding the possibility of expanding the use of their lands for recreational purposes. I will continue to progress this matter, which I believe has considerable potential to make a significant contribution to rural and countryside recreation.
