Other Questions.
5 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if submissions have been received from South Dublin County Council regarding a swimming pool in Lucan since a previous parliamentary question from this Deputy of November 2004; the funding stream which exists for new swimming pool applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5165/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra14 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if studies have been carried out into the number of swimming pools per area on a population basis; his views on whether Lucan is seriously lacking by having no swimming pool on the basis of its population; if direct action is planned by his Department to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5158/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 14 together.
This Department has not received any submission from South Dublin County Council for the provision of a swimming pool in Lucan since the previous parliamentary question by Deputy Gogarty on the subject, which I answered on 1 December 2004. The current local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, was closed to applications on 31 July 2000. The programme does not include the provision of a swimming pool in Lucan as South Dublin County Council were proposing at that time to provide a pool there on the basis of a public private partnership arrangement.
Although there are no plans to reopen the programme at present, my Department is carrying out an expenditure review which will assist in the formulation of policy for future programmes. The review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. As part of the analysis, the review will address the question of the population catchment area. The potential contribution of options such as private sector involvement in the provision of swimming pool facilities will also be evaluated.
I am glad the Minister took the time to answer this question, given that he considers that questions on legislation on funding for women in sport does not fall within his remit. I would like to discuss that at a later date. We know the story about the bureaucracy of South Dublin County Council and the long delay in the guidelines for public private partnership. We know that the Department has stated that the public private partnership process is not necessarily the best way to develop the swimming pool. Given the size of Lucan in comparison to towns such as Birr, which has had a swimming pool for many years, if an application came in from South Dublin County Council and if a concerted community effort was made to push for a swimming pool at the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre or at Adamstown, what response would the Minister give? Would he make a special case for it, given that Lucan is the fastest growing town in Ireland?
I have the greatest sympathy for the people of Lucan. I regret the fact that no application arrived in respect of Lucan from South Dublin County Council prior to the deadline on 31 July 2000. This deadline was well advertised and everyone knew about it. We received a considerable number of applications from all around the country, including the Dublin region. In 2002, in response to a query about a possible project in Lucan, the following advice was given.
Any guidelines in relation to the involvement of local authorities in a public private partnership approach to the procurement of swimming pools will be finalised in the context of launching a new programme. Local authorities will be notified by this Department when the new programme is initiated.
However, no such new programme was launched. The reality is that we have several applications on hand at various stages, from preliminary report stage right up to tender stage. We received no application from Lucan prior to the closing date of 31 July 2000. Had we received an application from Lucan, it would have received the priority which it unquestionably deserved. The difficulty is that we do not have a new swimming pool programme at this point. When a new programme is launched, we will advertise for it in the same manner in which we advertised on the previous occasion.
I do not understand why there was no application from Lucan, but I do not think that Deputy Gogarty is so unreasonable as to blame me or my Department for the failure to put in an application on behalf of the people of Lucan.
Will the Minister make a special case?
The difficulty with making a special case is that there are several other applicants across the country who feel that a special case should be made for them. Indeed, I have met deputations in that respect. The real difficulty is that I do not have a new programme at the moment. In Monaghan the municipal pool closed down due to serious damage and the special case was allowed. If it were at all possible to allow others for the same reason, then I would be disposed to do so.
The unfortunate situation is that Lucan does not fall within that category. That is no consolation for the people of Lucan. I will try to find out if it is possible to formulate some new programme which might help us to advance pools in places like Lucan. Even in the last couple of years, it is true that the demographics are changing dramatically. Areas that may not have felt it necessary for a pool a few years ago now feel that it is absolutely vital. It is important that the Government keeps up with people's desires, needs and wishes. I hope that we will have a new programme and that we can move along with this. We will certainly keep this under review.
Will the Minister intervene to ensure that repairs are carried out to the National Aquatic Centre as soon as possible?
We might be moving away from the question.
The Minister was about to answer.
Deputy Deenihan eloquently made his views known on "Morning Ireland" during the week. We are trying to move that issue along.
The Minister says that he has no new programme at the moment. How has the existing programme advanced regarding the refurbishment and replacement of swimming pools? Is that complete or is there a number of applications sill outstanding?
The swimming pool programme has been very successful so far. We have 15 projects completed, ten others are at construction stage, two are at tender stage, 12 are at contract document stage and 16 are at preliminary report stage. Of that 16, nine are now seeking approval preliminary reports, two are preparing preliminary reports and five have submitted feasibility studies. There is great interest in this programme. If we were to advertise a new programme in the morning, we would have further interest straight away.
6 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects the Irish genealogical project to be completed; the reason for the delay in completion, in view of the fact that 1994 was the target year of completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5311/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands acquired responsibility for the Irish genealogical project from the Department of the Taoiseach in October 1997. The Irish genealogical project is building a very valuable genealogical resource which documents the key life events of all our ancestors. The Internet presents us with an opportunity to make an index of genealogical data available to all those who seek to trace their ancestry. I launched the Irish Genealogy Limited website in October 2002. A key feature of this website is the central signposting index, which is a database of 2.8 million records now available to search on the Internet.
Irish Genealogy Limited was incorporated in 1993 to function as the central co-ordinating and marketing agency for the Irish genealogical project. The project's primary aim is to include all church and civil records up to 1900. The number of records involved is in excess of 20 million. The updating of parish or church records is a central platform in the creation of a genealogical database because they predate civil registration. To date, more that three quarters of the target church records have been indexed by the 35 county based genealogy centres. The business plan for Irish Genealogy Limited for the years 2005-07 aims to have completed 90% of church records by the end of 2007. This year, I am allocating €395,000 to Irish Genealogy Limited, which is up 4% on spending last year, to enable the company press ahead with the delivery of its business plan.
When this project was set up, 1994 was given as the date of completion. Yet ten years later, we have a considerable way to go. As a result, many people living in countries such as the US, where 40 million people claim Irish ancestry, and in other places, such as the UK, Australia and Argentina, are very disappointed that they cannot trace their roots. There is a growing interest in genealogy and it is a very important element of our tourist industry. When foreigners make the genealogical connection, they come to Ireland to find their roots. In view of the importance of this project, will the Minister consider allocating additional financial resources? This year's increase is only €15,000 more than last year. Will he consider additional recruitment so that more people can go through the records?
It is a matter of financial resources and personnel. The records are there to be recorded, but the resources are not there to record them. Will the Minister prioritise this area of responsibility? It is very important for the reasons outlined.
As I said, we have substantially increased funding for Irish Genealogy Limited. It is desirable that we increase it further, but unfortunately I do not have the resources required. It is encouraging that the project will be 97% complete by the end of 2007. Substantial progress has been made and I agree with Deputy Deenihan that it is of immense importance from the perspectives of Irish emigrants and their descendents who are seeking to ascertain their roots. The project has been extremely successful and while it would be desirable to conclude it even more expeditiously, the fact that it will be completed in the not-too-distant future is worthy of note.
7 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the uneven spread of tourists throughout the country despite increased access; the measures he proposes to put in place to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5344/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra25 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures which are in place to tackle the growing disparity in tourism levels among the regions, particularly the underperformance of areas outside the major urban centres in which there is no major airport close by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5161/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra30 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his response to recent remarks from Fáilte Ireland which highlight the need for balanced infrastructural development if tourism is to be expanded in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5324/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are three oral questions, not more than 18 minutes is allotted.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 25 and 30 together. I do not think we will need that much time. I refer Deputies to my earlier reply to Question No. 4.
A number of questions have been tabled. While the Minister provided a very comprehensive answer earlier, there are other questions to ask. One of the reasons for the fall off in tourist numbers in the midlands and west is our seeming failure to communicate to tourists from the United Kingdom a reason to come to Ireland. Previously, tourists came here because we successfully communicated reasons of landscape and culture. Current research indicates that British tourists no longer consider themselves to have a good reason to come here. It is very important for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to sell reasons for people abroad to come here.
The major collapse in the British leisure market has been manifested in the declining number of walkers, golfers, anglers and pleasure boaters coming to central Ireland. Does the Minister have any views on how we can better communicate the message that tourists should come here? Does he have any proposals to arrest the decline in the British leisure market and the numbers coming here for leisure activities? I am sure the Minister agrees that the nature of holidaying has changed. People take three or four short breaks each year rather than the traditional two weeks.
Will the Deputy ask a question?
While the midlands and west benefited from traditional holidays, does the Minister have any plans to rebalance the market between these parts of the country and the east, which is doing very well?
In replying to Question No. 4, I set out the details of plans we have made and implemented with a view to redressing the imbalance to which Deputy Deenihan referred. It certainly exists. Last year saw the largest number of visitors ever to our shores of 6.4 million. Revenue from tourism also increased. While the number of tourists from mainland Europe and the United States of America increased substantially, the difficulty arose with a slight drop off of approximately 1% in the number of visitors from Britain. Several factors were involved in this trend, not least of which was competition from within Britain itself where a major campaign was launched by tourism interests with a view to keeping people at home. In addition, independent former eastern bloc countries ran major campaigns in Britain.
It is sometimes forgotten that intrinsically attached to fluctuations in visitor numbers from Britain is the exchange rate between sterling and the euro. Currently, the value of the dollar against the euro disincentivises some Americans from travelling to Ireland despite the growth of the market. Tourism Ireland is engaged in the most aggressive marketing campaign in which it has ever been involved in Britain where we are spending approximately 38% of our total marketing fund this year to redress any difficulties which arose last year. Incidentally, a decrease of 1% in the British market last year represented a pretty good result by international standards. Given the decline in visitor numbers from Britain to other countries, one could describe the Irish experience as a heel against the head. I hope sincerely that Ireland has many heels against the head on 27 February at Lansdowne Road.
The Minister will be aware that the questions related more to the geographical spread of visitors than to tourist numbers. Does he think an opportunity is being missed in the context of access for walkers? High profile parts of the west are still the subject of ongoing, serious and contentious problems notwithstanding the work of Comhairle na Tuaithe. Members will recall the debate on public rights of way in the House. Can the Minister do anything to ensure that the numerous scenic walkways in the midlands and Ulster become the focus of a marketing initiative by Fáilte Ireland?
That is outside the scope of the question.
People could be encouraged to visit these unspoilt walking areas which are away from Killarney, Dublin and Clifden.
You have made your point and are speaking outside the scope of the question.
On a separate note, the decentralisation of Departments might help.
Most parts of Ireland experienced an increase in visitor numbers last year. While the south west and north west did not experience an increase, Dublin saw an increase of the significant order of 11%. I have acknowledged that while numbers increased, not every area and sector benefited. While the hotels sector did well, the bed and breakfast and farmhouse-guesthouse sector did not. While Dublin did extremely well, the south west, north west and west were not as successful. Our challenge is to establish a degree of equality or equivalence among sectors and regions. I outlined in reply to Question No. 4 the steps being taken to ensure that happens.
Deputy Gogarty is correct to imply that walking holidays are of immense importance. Comhairle na Tuaithe was established to resolve the problems landowners had with access and liability for accidents which occurred on their properties. Recent judgments on the Occupiers' Liability Act 1995 have been of great benefit to landowners who may now feel encouraged to allow walkers to access their lands with a degree of confidence. I encourage and respectfully request landowners to assist the national cause of tourism by opening their lands to walkers. It is important to the country and might even be described as a patriotic act.
Hear, hear.
Does the Minister have any evidence to support the claim that visitors to the Dublin region are mainly young people on short holidays rather than families? The loss to the sector involves the reduction in the number of families coming here. Short holidays seem to be popular with young people. As we know with regard to wedding fairs etc., we have such visitors. We are losing out on families coming to Ireland. Young people come for festivals or international gigs to see bands such as U2 and others. We receive many such visitors, but in the overall context, families are not coming here. When they do, they do not visit the west and other similar regions. With regard to partying, the holidaymaker is focused on where the action is.
I have heard a lot about the action at stag nights and hen parties, but have not been invited to any.
The Minister is past it.
The Deputy should speak for himself. If he is past it, that is his business. He is right in that many visitors coming from Britain are young people and they come for the events he described. They are more than welcome. However, we are also getting other kinds of visitors. Family visitors tend to spread out into the regions.
It is interesting to note from data that visitors coming to Ireland from the United States are normally over the age of 35, fairly educated, used to travelling and discerning. That is important because that kind of visitor spreads out into the regions, which is why we are so interested in growing the American market to have equivalence among the regions. We have a good marketing campaign in the US. There are eight large travel agent seminars this year in major cities in the US, and such seminars are very successful. I attended and spoke at one in Los Angeles last week. The major players in the trade in California were at the event and this has been replicated in other US cities.
I anticipate a substantial increase in the number of visitors from the US and, because of the age profile and other profiles attached to visitors from there, I anticipate an increase in the number of visitors to the regions this year. Allied to the other measures which I mentioned in reply to Question No. 4, this should ensure a much greater degree of equivalence. I am expecting that 2005 will surpass our best year, 2004. I hope this is reflected not just in Dublin but in the regions and sectors.
One of the reasons less people travel to the midlands and west is because fewer people bring cars to Ireland, especially from the UK. They come for shorter breaks and they travel by air. There is an increase in the number coming to Ireland by air, and this is likely to increase further in future.
The Deputy should confine himself to questions. Otherwise he may run out of time.
Will the Minister try to address the market that traditionally came by car and also encourage more people to come to Ireland by ferry? Will he try to address the issue of car hire? It has become more competitive but it could be more attractive.
Regarding the issue of regional tourism authorities, RTAs, will the Minister outline the review he is carrying out and which he promised on a number of occasions? It is also contained in the New Horizons report. A dynamic RTA can encourage many people to visit a region, which is important in the context of spread.
The Minister has been successful in bringing "Lassie" to Ireland.
The Deputy should confine himself to questions.
Will "Lassie" become the symbol of Irish tourism?
I will first deal with the issue of dogs. On a serious note, we are very pleased that Classic Media has decided to locate the"Lassie" film in Ireland. Filming begins in April of this year, and it is an exciting project. When discussing this with Classic Media last week in New York, I brought along a representative of Tourism Ireland to discuss the possibility of the film being joined up for tourism purposes in terms of the promotion of the island of Ireland. Classic Media was quite excited about this.
My question was therefore appropriate, even though the Ceann Comhairle tried to cut me off.
There is a possibility of sequels and that Classic Media will become increasingly engaged with Tourism Ireland in terms of promoting Ireland in conjunction with promoting the film or films. We are particularly suited to Classic Media because all film relief uniquely applies not only to films but also to television projects. Classic Media has many property rights in the television market and is the provider of "Lassie".
With regard to the question of car hire, one of the most disappointing occurrences in Ireland in recent times is that visitors coming in from abroad who are over the age of 70 find it difficult to get insurance. That is desperately unfair, not just on the country but on the people coming in seeking to hire cars. It is a complaint which I heard in the US on a number of occasions. Just because a person is over the age of 70, he or she should not be denied insurance. Where this occurs, it should be reviewed and examined as a matter of urgency.
It is true there was a decline in the number of people travelling to Ireland by ferry last year and this obviously had an adverse effect on the tourism industry. This would be indicative of a decrease in the number of visitors from Britain, which at approximately 1% was very slight. A major marketing drive, which takes up about 38% of our marketing funds for 2005, is taking place in Britain and should yield significant results.
The RTAs are being reviewed in the context of the New Horizons report and the implementation group is specifically looking at the relationship between the RTAs, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. This is necessary because despite that we transferred functions from Fáilte Ireland to Tourism Ireland and defined the functions of Fáilte Ireland, we never really defined the relationship between the RTAs, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. We increased funding for RTAs this year by 20%, underlining the importance I attach to the regions. It is important the RTAs become ever more viable in order that we ensure they are in a position to market their regions effectively on the national and international stage.
I am particularly pleased at the increase in the domestic market during 2004. This is our largest market and it increased by 16% and was worth revenue of €1.2 billion.
8 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the extension of the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5166/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra9 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the upgrading of facilities at the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5345/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 79 on this subject on 20 October 2004, the Office of Public Works, having investigated over several years various locations for a state-of-the-art National Concert Hall in Dublin, advised me last year that reconfiguration of the site at Earlsfort Terrace where the concert hall is located would provide space for implementation of an imaginative design concept involving the provision of three separate performance spaces and access to the Iveagh Gardens.
As Deputies will appreciate, however, if this concept is to be progressed further it can only be in the context of University College Dublin completing the relocation of all remaining college staff located at Earlsfort Terrace to Belfield. UCD's plans for completing this process are well advanced but the financial issues around the provision of additional accommodation at Belfield have yet to be resolved. My Department has been engaged in a series of discussions with the Department of Education and Science, the Office of Public Works and University College Dublin to clarify the financial and other implications of meeting the needs both of UCD and the National Concert Hall. These discussion are continuing but I hope to be in a position to discuss with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, the parameters of a joint submission to Government on these interlocking issues in the near future.
This is becoming a long-running saga, comparable in some ways to the Abbey Theatre saga. Hopefully, however, it will not be put on the back burner. I am sure the Minister will agree that the provision of an enlarged national concert hall is important for the country. Currently, a number of international performances cannot take place in Dublin due to the lack of proper facilities, including stage size and changing areas. Those of us who are familiar with the National Concert Hall can fully appreciate that situation.
At the moment, the concert hall can be booked out for popular performances so there is a need for a new hall to cater for audience requirements.
A question, please.
The National Concert Hall is currently working at full capacity. It is likely that UCD will be moving out of the Earlsfort Terrace site at the end of 2006, so surely it is now time for the advance planning to commence on a blueprint for a new concert hall facility. The planning mechanism should be put in place immediately. A symphony hall with capacity for 2,000 places should be provided, while leaving the existing concert hall in situ. Does the Minister agree that the project is urgent and cannot wait until UCD eventually decides to move out?
Originally, negotiations were entered into with the Dublin Docklands Authority with a view to obtaining a site for the construction of a new national concert hall. However, these discussions fell through when the Dublin Docklands Authority withdrew its offer of the site under consideration. Subsequently, the Office of Public Works was asked to report on the feasibility of locating the concert hall at Earlsfort Terrace. Happily, the OPW concluded that, provided all the site was made available, a national concert hall could be accommodated at Earlsfort Terrace.
This is welcome news because it is an ideal location for the national concert hall. Deputy Deenihan points out correctly that it would be possible to construct the new national concert hall and, for the most part, continue with performances in the old concert hall at Earlsfort Terrace. It is estimated that the concert hall could be constructed on a phased basis over a five-year period. It would be a state-of-the-art facility. I appreciate the need for it and I accept that the current facilities are entirely inadequate. We are continuing to make progress. I will discuss with the Minister for Education and Science a joint approach to Government in the near future regarding the Earlsfort Terrace site.
The provision of such a facility is more urgent in view of the fact that places such as Gateshead and Cardiff have developed concert halls.
The Deputy should confine himself to putting a question.
Will the Minister ensure that Dublin will have a similar type of concert hall, at least in the next four or five years?
We will certainly do everything possible. As I said, both I and the Minister for Education and Science will bring a joint memorandum to Government in the near future.
10 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the value to the Irish economy in 2002, 2003 and 2004 of the film industry here; his plans for the expansion of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5337/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are various measures of the value to the economy of the film sector, and methodologies and approaches can differ from one analyst to another. A strong focus in my Department in recent years has been the retention of the section 481 incentive scheme for investors in film production in Ireland. In this context, a report commissioned from PricewaterhouseCoopers by the Irish Film Board, in conjunction with my Department, concluded in September 2003 that the discontinuation of the scheme would result in the displacement of more than 3,500 jobs within the economy, an annual reduction of circa €60 million in national output and a reduction of more than €35 million on the current account of the balance of payments.
A review of film production in Ireland, published by the audio-visual federation of IBEC, concluded that total expenditure on feature films and major television drama, independent TV productions and animation came to €190.9 million in 2002 and €320.2 million in 2003. Of these amounts, €122.6 million was spent in Ireland in 2002 and €151.4 million in 2003.
IBEC estimates that a total of 16,424 people were directly placed on 148 productions in Ireland in 2002, of which 67% were Irish. These figures exclude direct and indirect employment generated through total Irish expenditure of €122.6 million in the Irish economy. A total of 2,111,560 work hours were generated, which translates into 1,198 full-time equivalents.
For 2003, a total of 12,238 placements were directly made on 179 productions, of which 94% were Irish. These figures exclude direct and indirect employment generated through a total Irish spend of €151.4 million in the economy. A total of 2,629,824 hours were generated, translating into 1,491 full-time equivalents. The figures for 2004 are not yet to hand.
The Government's decision, taken in conjunction with the Finance Act 2004, to extend section 481 relief to 2008 and to increase the ceiling on the amount which may be raised from €10.48 million to €15 million with effect from 1 January this year enables film makers both here and abroad to plan their projects in a climate of greater certainty. I underlined this message in my visits to a wide range of film studios in the course of my visit to the United States last week. I have also increased by 20% the funding available to the Irish Film Board.
I welcome the Minister's reply which indicates the value of the film industry here. It is important to provide the necessary expertise and incentives to ensure the continued progress of the film industry, which is of vital importance. Recently, I met the young Irish film makers group which has made a submission to the Minister for funding. It is seeking grants to develop its involvement in film making. Obviously, those people are the experts of tomorrow and unless they receive basic training we will have problems. What is the status of the group's application and can it be developed further to ensure that progress is made?
I welcome the decision on extending the application of section 481 which will have a positive effect. The Minister's recent visit to America has demonstrated the benefits that can accrue from such incentives. Nonetheless, can something be done for the young Irish film makers group? It has a major interest in the industry but it has become bogged down in its quest for vital funding.
The issue of young Irish film makers was also brought to my attention by Deputy McGuinness who said there is a major problem with funding for them. Deputy Wall has buttressed that argument here today. On the previous occasion the matter was raised by Deputy McGuinness, I referred it to the Irish Film Board. Following Deputy Wall's intervention now, I will again refer the issue to the board to see if progress can be made. In the final analysis, funding of young Irish film makers is a question for the Irish Film Board whose budget was increased by 20% this year. I will refer the Deputy's query to the board.
I thank the Minister.
11 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will elaborate on his recent call on the tourism industry to closely monitor its prices; if that there has been a marked deterioration in price competitiveness in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5333/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I assumed responsibility for the tourism portfolio, I have had a consistent focus on the competitiveness of the Irish tourism product. My focus is not so much on price as on value and my message is not so much about high prices as value for money. The industry must monitor its prices by reference to the value it provides. However, Ireland has not been, for many years, a cheap holiday destination. It has never been, nor does it intend to be, on a par with the cheap mass market destinations.
However, Ireland was competitive in the 1990s. It has always been my view that, if Ireland's tourism industry is to restore the competitiveness it enjoyed in the boom years, a multifaceted approach by both the private and public sectors is required. Competitiveness is a function of the overall tourism experience and not price alone. We have put a new tourism strategy in place to address the key challenges facing domestic tourism to build on the report of the tourism policy review group. The review group recommended more than 70 actions that must be delivered if that new strategy is to be successful.
The first progress report by the high level tourism action plan implementation group, published last September, was broadly positive. Few people were surprised that strong areas of concern remain regarding the competitiveness and value for money available in wide segments of Irish tourism. However, in general, the industry is addressing the competitiveness issue seriously, which is a mark of how serious the pressure is on industry yield and profit brought about by a stronger focus on price and value for money in the marketplace. This is also evident in the wide range of special discounted offers available from the air and ferry companies and accommodation providers.
The strong euro and related weakening of the dollar and sterling present additional challenges for domestic tourism in terms of the perception of value for money. Levels of dissatisfaction are closely linked to exchange rate changes. A variety of trends are emerging from the analysis of 2004 performance figures that will require attention from the industry and the tourism agencies, if we are to achieve the rate of growth envisaged for the sector in the report of the tourism policy review group.
I have again secured a record level of Exchequer moneys for investment in tourism this year which, at €123 million, amounts to an 8% increase on 2004. The enhanced budgets for the tourism State agencies have enabled them to produce excellent operational and marketing plans for the year, which will help to enhance the overall competitiveness of the tourism industry through a range of supporting programmes and initiatives.
I fully support the efforts of Fáilte Ireland and the Department to ensure tourists obtain maximum value. However, a recent report in the Irish Independent pointed out that when a concert is held in Dublin, one hotel increases its room rate from €129 per night to €229 while another increased its rate from €215 to €425. This is disingenuous of hoteliers given that the Minister and everyone else involved are trying to attract tourists. Hoteliers are trying to kill the goose that laid the golden egg by inflating prices for specific events. Similar increases will be effected on the weekends of the rugby internationals and the U2 concert. Can the Minister do anything to address this? The Irish Hotels Federation should also address this issue.
Individual hoteliers decide of their own volition that they should make hay because the sun shines during certain periods of the year. Accordingly, a major event in a city or town can lead people to the conclusion that they should increase their prices beyond all recognition. This must be discouraged and condemned. People who take advantage of a special occasion or function undermine the efforts of State agencies to sell the country. It also gives encouragement to those who seek to establish that restrictive or unfair practices operate in the industry. I request all those who seek to take advantage of given occasions or functions to seriously consider the implications of their actions. People who decide to do this to the disadvantage of the customer undermine the business of which they are a part. Increasing prices to avail of a given opportunity is not a good medium or long-term strategy. There may be short-term gain but medium and long-term damage is certain.
Written answers follow Adjournment Debate.
