Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

As the Deputy will appreciate the reopening of the Midleton to Youghal railway line is not a matter for me but a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport who will be the Minister with responsibility for tourism shortly.

Furthermore, under the National Tourism Development Authority Act, Fáilte Ireland has the devolved function to encourage, promote and support the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. Therefore, the matter of regional tourism development raised by the Deputy is for Fáilte Ireland to consider as part of its day to day activities to support the tourism sector.

As the Deputy may be aware, Fáilte Ireland works with the tourism industry nationally to develop the sector, including the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, funding for festivals and events, the development and implementation of tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry.

For the Deputy's information, I am advised that the following initiatives are under way to assist tourism businesses in east Cork, including Youghal and its environs: the Family Fun initiative to help local businesses improve their offering and marketing to the family market; business development supports to develop a broad range of skills, including marketing and sales, culinary skills, customer service, finance and business management and development; overseas sales and marketing supports to assist tourism businesses in accessing overseas markets; an angling initiative to support angling businesses in the area to maximise their potential in targeting tourists; helping activity providers grow their business, particularly water-based activities; discussion with the local authority on potential capital and infrastructural projects, in particular relating to improved beach and coastal facilities in the Youghal area; and the promotion of festivals and events in east Cork through the tourist information office network and the Discover Ireland website and campaign platforms.

I might add that Fáilte Ireland's enterprise development team in Cork is working closely with businesses in east Cork and is happy to meet individuals or groups to deal with queries to maximise the potential of the region.

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