Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which efforts continue to distribute the tourism industry evenly throughout the country with particular reference to the development of facilities at required locations having particular regard to assessments carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/18]
View answerMy Department is primarily involved in the development of national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have responsibility for the implementation of this policy.
In this regard, Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of the Irish tourism industry, including regional tourism. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply.
Local authorities now also have a greater hands-on responsibility in terms of tourism development, something that has been a positive recent development in my opinion. Fáilte Ireland continues to distribute capital funding on a range of facility improvement works which I am sure they will inform the Deputy further about in their further response. The Government is committed to broadening the seasonality and regionality of tourism for the benefit of every community in Ireland.
Government measures like the scrapping of the Airport Tax and the introduction of the reduced 9% VAT rate have all helped to improve the industry and grow jobs to a point where over 235,000 people are now employed directly in tourism in all parts of Ireland. Developing regional experiences like the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and the Hidden Heartlands are central to this overall ethos.
I thank Deputy Durkan for his continued and persistent raising of tourism related matters with me and assure him of my continued co-operation with him in this important area. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
