Alan Kelly
Ceist:531. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bid for Rugby World Cup 2023 is successful, the departmental Vote from which the funding for the actual bid will come. [41602/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 October 2017
Ceisteanna (531, 532)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:532. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bid for the Rugby World Cup 2023 is successful, if his Department will have to provide the required bid funding of a minimum of €120 million from within its current budget allocation; and if so, if special provision will be made for same. [41603/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.
I am very hopeful that Ireland will be successful in its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. A successful bid would see tourism benefit from increased overseas visitors of between 377,000 and 450,000 visitors generating an estimated direct spend in Ireland of between €417 million and €723 million, including additional tax returns of between €96 million and €166 million, depending on the number of visitors, length of stay and spend per day. It would also support the tourism industry in the shoulder season thus providing increased employment during the weeks of the tournament. Employment will also be created in the preparations for hosting the tournament.
My Department has begun prudent planning in anticipation of a successful bid and the allocation for the Rugby World Cup will be decided in the context of the Estimates process between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.