Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures outlined in the national development plan that will address the east-west divide in tourism numbers and income, the need to upgrade Ireland's tourist attractions, particularly outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5955/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan 2007-2013, Transforming Ireland, includes the largest-ever Government investment programme for the development of tourism. This tourism development programme, which provides for an €800 million Exchequer investment over the next seven years, has as one of its fundamental objectives the stimulation of regional development. The programme includes an international marketing sub-programme, which provides €335 million to promote the island of Ireland in key international markets. The key objective over the seven years will be to increase tourism revenue and visitor yield and to help achieve a wider regional and seasonal distribution of business. It also includes a product development and infrastructure sub-programme, which provides €317 million to upgrade and supplement our tourism attractions and activities and to deliver a national conference centre in Dublin.

Earlier today, I launched Fáilte Ireland's tourism product development strategy for the period 2007 to 2013. That strategy clearly sets out what must be done to ensure the Irish tourism product is relevant and fit for purpose in today's changing marketplace. It also identifies the bodies and agencies that are in the best position to deliver the necessary results. In rolling out programmes and initiatives under the strategy, special regard will be paid to the need for integrated regional development.

A training and human resource development sub-programme is also part of the plan, which will invest €148 million in the education and training of the tourism workforce, both domestic and non-national, as well as sustaining structured educational opportunities in the third level colleges and institutes of technology around the country. It will also provide for the continuation of initiatives aimed at improving management capability and networking in SMEs and micro-enterprises at regional level.

In addition to direct investment through the tourism development programme, the new NDP includes a range of complementary programmes that will greatly benefit the future development of tourism. These relate not only to the major planned capital investment in transport, energy and environmental services but also to the proposed investment of over €900 million in culture infrastructure and €990 million in sport infrastructure under my Department's Vote.

Many more opportunities for investment in tourism will arise under the new NDP, many of which will have a strong regional and rural dimension. It will be important, therefore, for developers of tourism attractions to tap into these other sources of funding. These areas include, to mention but a few, the proposed new gateway innovation fund, the programme of investment in North/South co-operation, the rural social and economic development programme, the Gaeltacht and islands development programme, the built and natural heritage sub-programmes, the waterways sub-programme and the urban and village renewal fund.

As Deputies will be aware, last year I announced the appointment of the chairs of the five new regional tourism development boards. These boards are now in place and their key objective is to ensure a greater focus on the individual needs of each region at a national level, and direct involvement for the regions in the development of national policy and tourism strategy. These new regional tourism structures will be an important resource available to the various spending agencies in optimising the tourism benefits of their investment under the national development plan, thereby adding to the social and economic impact locally of such spending.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister outline the measures in the national development plan and the tourism product development strategy launched today that will distribute tourists more evenly throughout the country and provide the attractions that will encourage them to leave Dublin? Most of the growth in numbers and in development has taken place in Dublin. Will the Minister outline the percentage distribution of international tourism revenue between the eastern seaboard and the rest of the country for 2005 and 2006 and the comparable figures for 2000?

In light of the increasing numbers of foreign nationals, who are very welcome, working in the hotel and catering industry, what steps are being taken to ensure these staff are well informed about Ireland and its tourism attractions so they can give good advice and information to our visitors?

Does the Minister recognise that many of our tourism attractions are now tired and lack creativity? What measures are there in the national development plan to address this problem and how long with that take? The Cliffs of Moher centre that was opened last week was in the pipeline for 17 years.

What measures are being taken to combat litter and to improve the appearance of our cities, towns and villages? Will the Minister give a commitment today on the opening date of the national conference centre?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The measures announced today are intended to benefit the regions. Consideration must be given in the course of the implementation of the Fáilte Ireland strategy to various proposals which will come forward. Some of our attractions require reinvigoration and it is our intention to ensure this happens. The intention under the product development scheme is to reinvigorate some of the older attractions and, in that context, it should be remembered that there are 7,500 of these. It is then intended to establish some new attractions.

The specifics are not spelt out in the plan but we recognise the need to have particular regard to our own culture and heritage. Attractions that might be considered include those which would be a showcase for our traditional music, song and dance. Also, to accentuate difference is to gain a greater dividend in terms of numbers from foreign shores so it might be appropriate to look back and consider emigration that has taken place from this country by having a centre similar in concept if not design to the Ellis Island project in New York. There is a number of projects that may be considered and we will seek a regional spread for them.

The formulation of new super-regions and the formation of the new regional tourism development boards have given a new impetus to regional tourism, as witnessed by substantial increases last year in visitor numbers to the regions. There was a substantial increase in the number of visitors to the south west in 2005.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We must move on to the next question.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately the Minister did not answer any of my questions.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We spent seven minutes on the question so we must move on.