Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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7. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Irish sea way walking trail to boost tourism along the east and south coasts as committed to in the programme for Government; the position regarding the consultation process with communities along the coastline from Carlingford Lough to Cobh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21878/22]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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There is a commitment in the programme for Government regarding an Irish sea way walking trail designed to boost tourism and slow tourism along the east and south coasts.

There was also a commitment in that to undertake a consultation process with communities along the coast from Carlingford Lough all the way down to Cobh. Could the Minister of State make a statement on the progress of this commitment?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, namely, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings such as the proposed Irish Sea Way walking trail, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions.

Regarding the Irish Sea Way, I understand that Fáilte Ireland has conducted initial reviews to understand the nature and scale of any existing infrastructure that could assist in progressing an overall walking trail along the route. Over the past two years, however, given the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry, Fáilte Ireland’s overriding focus was on supporting tourism businesses through the pandemic. Due to the fact that key human and financial resources were diverted towards Covid-related priorities and on account of Covid-related public health restrictions limiting opportunities for site visits and community engagement gatherings, it was not possible for Fáilte Ireland to advance considerations of the Irish Sea Way proposal during this time.

Now, however, I understand that work on the Irish Sea Way walking trail project has been scheduled to commence in the second half of this year. Prior to any engagement with communities, of course, an understanding of the scale and feasibility of the project will be required. Accordingly, I believe Fáilte Ireland's initial focus will be on developing a framework and roadmap to inform its approach to developing of the walking trail. This work will then inform a methodology for developing route options, a community consultation strategy and indicative costs for the infrastructural development of the trail.

As regards timeframes envisaged for the forthcoming stages in this project, I understand that Fáilte Ireland is aiming to complete by the end of quarter 3 of 2022 the procurement process to engage consultants to work with the agency on this project and it estimates that the consultancy work will take nine to 12 months. Fáilte Ireland has advised that a public consultation strategy will be developed by the consultant team and that it is aiming to conduct public consultations during 2023.

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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That is an interesting answer. What we are really looking at is an infrastructural piece and I am not sure this is the type of thing Fáilte Ireland could or should be involved in. I think there is a role for central government in it and there is clearly a role for local authorities. A good example of this is found in Waterford where Waterford City and County Council has worked with landowners to develop a coastal trail that runs from Dunmore through Portally as far as Ballymacaw with plans to bring it further to Tramore but that was not a Fáilte Ireland piece and was not developed at a desktop. It was developed in consultation with landowners building on a traditional trail that was already there. As an infrastructural piece, I believe there is a role for central government to bring people together on this and possibly give direction to local authorities for them to be able to engage with landowners in that meaningful way.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I will certainly relay Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's feedback. I see Deputy Calleary is present and I know that when it came to the greenway in Mayo, with which I am very familiar, a lot of local work and engagement with landowners allowed that to progress but I am sure this is something that Fáilte Ireland will engage with. It is the early iteration of this, as I referenced. It has four main funding channels for its capital investment in tourism product development to support the enhancement of tourism attractions. These are large grant schemes provided under the platforms for growth approach, small grant schemes, strategic partnerships and other collaborations. A lot of the work they are doing at this point concerns the framework for how to develop the walking trail, developing route options and community consultation, so it concerns putting that initial piece in place around what is possible. The agency hopes to commence the consultancy work and public consultation in 2023 to achieve some progress.

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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I am sure that if Deputy Matthews was here, he would have been referencing the Bray to Greystones route, which I have walked myself and which is beautiful. I mentioned the route from Dunmore to Ballymacaw. There is also a loop trail that is the final furlong of St. Declan's Way, which takes in the Ardmore cliff walk. Again, this was developed by the local authority and was done in a very sympathetic way that respected the surroundings. It is easy to diminish something like walking tourism but in the Scottish tourism economy, it is worth £1.26 billion per year. It is a complete counterpoint to that kind of coach tourism involving that kind of "gone in 60 seconds" whistle-stop tour. It slows tourists down. It is also obviously a local amenity. It gives people a real sense of place and allows them to engage with the culture and our food offering in a more meaningful way. It is in the programme for Government and is something I would like to see driven forward. We can already see the benefits in places like Wicklow and Waterford and it is a direction in which we should be moving.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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There is ongoing collaboration on this between Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development under the outdoor recreation scheme and a partnership is in place that provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreation infrastructure and the enhancement of existing outdoor infrastructure. In February 2022, a figure of €50 million was announced for the 2022 scheme, which will support dozens of outdoor projects across the country and provide a major boost to rural tourism. It will see the development of natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, walkways, greenways and blueways to support adventure activities. There is a strategic partnership between Fáilte Ireland and key State bodies like the Office of Public Works, OPW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coillte, Waterways Ireland and most recently Údarás na Gaeltachta, which owns and manages many sites of vital importance to tourism. The recent announcement of the strategic partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta will allow for collaboration across the Gaeltacht strengthening the tourism experience there. I will bring the Deputy's feedback and the need to bring about progress back to the Minister.