Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the spending. I am delighted that, following the Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland and the Department have continued across the country with Ireland's Ancient East and the lake district to ensure the country is marketed properly. The local authorities have become very involved in the promotion of tourism in their areas. Up to a couple of years ago, the local Leader development companies had a means of accessing funding to upgrade tourism activities or projects in their localities. Is there any means whereby the Minister's Department provides funding directly to the local authorities for tourism product development? The local authorities are now likely to promote tourism projects, as opposed to just housing, roads delivery, sewerage and water services which was the case in my day. They appear to be involved with providing industry and tourism. Obviously, they have to carry more costs. Is there a separate mechanism for funding local authorities in their tourism initiatives?