Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 20 together.

Internationally, tourism continues to recover steadily, yet several challenges, both geopolitical and economic, remain. The combination of increasing interest rates in all major economies, rising energy and food prices, and the growing prospects of a global recession are major threats to the recovery of international tourism for 2023. Hotel capacity, energy costs and labour shortages will continue to challenge the tourism industry here in Ireland this year.

Though the strong early recovery of inbound tourism to Ireland last year was welcome, there are significant challenges facing the sector. I am, therefore, continuing to direct significant resources to support the sustainable recovery of the sector. In budget 2023, I secured an additional €15 million for the overseas marketing of Ireland. The budget also contains an additional €15 million for a range of industry initiatives, including €3 million for the continuation of the investment in skills development and retention, which is critical, as there are significant employment challenges faced by tourism businesses in attracting talent, assisting skills development and retaining staff. Additionally, a €2 million increase in funding for domestic marketing will continue to promote Ireland's tourism offering to Irish holidaymakers.

I have also secured €3 million to allow Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in the area of sustainability. Other allocations include €36.5 million in capital funding for tourism product development for the continued delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Tourism Ireland will roll out an extensive and targeted programme of activity in 2023, with a total marketing budget of €78 million. A wide range of promotional activities will be undertaken, including a new global marketing campaign, publicity and programming, social media and digital marketing, as well as working with the tourism industry at home and the travel trade overseas to facilitate sales. In the area of screen tourism, we can expect many international tourists to head for County Mayo on foot of "The Banshees of Inisherin".

Economic, social and environmental sustainability will be at the heart of Tourism Ireland's work over the coming years, driving greater economic prosperity and benefiting communities across the island, while at the same time increasing our consideration of the environmental impacts of tourism. In addition, Fáilte Ireland will announce its plans for 2023 shortly. The Government has recognised the challenge of rapidly rising energy costs for businesses and last year introduced the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS. I recognise the growing concern among the wider tourism industry that the number of tourism beds taken out of the system for humanitarian reasons is likely to have a real impact on the industry's recovery in 2023 and beyond. In addition, hotel accommodation is not an ideal medium- to long-term solution for the accommodation needs of families. That is why the Government is actively exploring a wide range of alternative options, including the roll-out of a rapid-build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department has communicated concerns to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. That Department is working urgently across Government with agencies, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State's humanitarian responsibilities can be met. My Department has initiated the development of a new national sustainable tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability. The development of this new policy will involve extensive consultation with the industry and our communities to help set out a path for the coming years to support sustainable recovery and subsequent growth in the sector. The new tourism policy will seek to support sustainable economic development in communities throughout the country while protecting our environment and natural resources, with greater demand spread out across the year.

While the sector faces many challenges, I am confident that the supports the Government has put in place will ensure that Ireland's tourism industry is well positioned to maintain its current levels of recovery and to grow sustainably in the coming years.

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