Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2017
58. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the considerable loss of funding that has been suffered by a company (details supplied) in recent months and the fact that much of the midlands now lacks a body to promote it as a tourist destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the organisation mentioned by the Deputy previously received funding under the Community Services Programme, which is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
My Department has no role regarding that programme. There is no mechanism by which similar funding could be provided by either my Department or the tourism agencies.
On the matter of the promotion of the midlands region as a tourist destination, 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.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for consideration. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
