Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The question relates to the restoration of the Dún Laoghaire baths. Fáilte Ireland has responsibility for the operation of the tourism capital investment programme. The development of the project referred to by the Deputy is primarily the responsibility of the relevant local authority, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I am informed by Fáilte Ireland that no application has been received by it in respect of the project. If a local authority, or any other body, identifies a tourism project with the potential to increase significantly visitor numbers and which it believes would be eligible for tourism capital funding, it should engage directly with Fáilte Ireland. However, the level of grant allocations and approvals under the programme is such that the existing capital allocations for 2012 and 2013 for tourism product development are fully committed.

See this speech in context