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

I agree on the knock-on impact on downstream tourism businesses. That is being felt and that is why, as part of the budget settlement, I have secured up to €10 million for tourism in 2024 for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in respect of activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives. I have also asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with the impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific tourism support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions. I have asked it to report back to me on options and recommendations within four weeks. I wrote that letter last week on the day of the budget. A strong evidence base will be critical in this regard and I have asked the tourism sector, particularly activities and attractions, to please engage with Fáilte Ireland so we can gather that real data in order that we can provide direct and verifiable evidence of how tourism accommodation stock displacement has negatively impacted their businesses and then look to devise a scheme.

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