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Tourism Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (59)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

114 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has a strategy to promote agri-tourism; the value to the economy annually of agri-tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24498/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the area based rural development initiative, my Department provides some €30 million in funding for rural-agri-tourism over the period 2000 to 2006. This funding is made available to rural communities through their local Leader companies. The objectives of this funding include the development and enhancement of the rural-agri-tourism product range in an environmentally and sustainable way and the promotion and development of rural-agri-tourism in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and the regional tourism authorities.

My Department also provides a number of other supports to rural or agri-tourism including sponsorship of the national rural tourism awards, funding the western development tourism programme aimed at developing areas in the western counties which are underperforming in terms of tourism and the work of Comhairle na Tuaithe in relation to the development of a countryside recreation strategy.

Agri-tourism plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the rural economy. Work is under way on advancing performance indicators for various areas relating to the work of my Department. Matters such as the value to the economy of agri-tourism will be considered.

Question No. 115 answered with QuestionNo. 106.
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