Funding under the Community Services Programme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. My Department has no role regarding this programme. There is no mechanism by which similar funding could be provided to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy by either my Department or the tourism agencies.
Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy that much work is being done by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to develop and promote tourism in the midlands region. As this is an operational matter for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing and Fáilte Ireland in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion - I have referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for consideration and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received replies within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.