Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which investment in tourism infrastructure will continue with a view to ensuring maximisation of Ireland's impact on the tourism market, availing of every opportunity to bring tourists here with consequent economic benefit and promotion of Irish culture and heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25324/18]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development, whereas the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. With regard to the tourism product, my Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism.
As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, almost €108 million has been allocated to Fáilte Ireland for capital investment over the next four years and it is intended that this level of funding will, at a minimum, be maintained over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.
Priority areas for tourism capital investment through Fáilte Ireland's programmes include the development and enhancement of tourist attractions and activity-based tourism to provide the type and quality of experience that visitors are seeking. This investment will support and grow tourism across Ireland, in line with the further development and promotion of the regional tourism brand experiences.
With specific regard to promoting and leveraging the appeal of Ireland's culture and heritage, these are an intrinsic element of all the tourism experience brands but are particularly to the fore in Ireland's Ancient East, which has an especially rich and diverse range of cultural heritage experiences including passage tombs, monastic sites and medieval castles.
Overall, capital investment in Ireland's tourism product aims to continue to motivate large numbers of international tourists to visit the country, with the ultimate goal being to deliver sustainable growth for Irish tourism, resulting in higher revenue and additional jobs.
