Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 5

Written Answers - Tourism Promotion.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

323 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has satisfied himself that sufficient funds are being made available to his Department for the development and promotion of all aspects of tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25837/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

324 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the areas of the tourism industry in respect of which he feels extra funding is needed from his Department in order to achieve the full potential of the various aspects of the industry; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25838/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.

Funding available to my Department from the Exchequer for the development and promotion of tourism in 1998 presently stands at £42.1 million. This funding is for a wide range of tourism related services and activities, including those provided and undertaken by the various State agencies directly responsible for tourism promotion and development. Funding from this source is also used to assist the development and expansion of the tourism small business sector. Deputies may also be aware that this week I will be seeking approval, by way of Supplementary Estimate, for a further allocation in 1998 specifically to assist Bord Fáilte's marketing campaigns with a view to maintaining tourism growth and addressing regional spread. Taken together with the £47.2 million provided for tourism promotion and development in the 1999 Estimates under my Department's Vote, this level of funding reflects the ongoing commitment on the part of this Government to develop this key sector of the Irish economy.

Significant funding is, of course, also available for tourism promotion and development under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99. Between this programme and its predecessor, covering the decade 1989-99, over £1 billion is expected to be invested in tourism, leading to a transformation in the range, quality and volume of tourism product available and acting as a major boost to international tourism marketing and training.

Over recent months, my Department has been developing an outline strategy for the continued development of tourism in the context of the next round of EU Structural Funding, covering the period 2000-06. The strategy includes a vision for the future, key objectives and targets and a proposed strategic approach under the product, marketing and training headings. Consultations are taking place with the industry with the aim of developing a shared vision for the future. The development of a partnership approach between the Exchequer, the European Union, the State agencies and the private sector which has proved so successful in the context of the two Operational Programmes for Tourism to date is, I believe, the key to sponsoring a more self sustaining tourism sector which is also environmentally sensitive.