Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress being made on the programme for Government commitment to encourage special interest tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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In keeping with the commitment in the programme for Government to encourage special interest tourism, the Deputy might note that, in 2005, Fáilte Ireland will spend over €6 million on promoting special interest tourism. I understand that this funding is being made available primarily to promote those special interest tourism products which hold the greatest appeal to overseas consumers such as heritage and culture, walking, golf, English as a foreign language, EFL, angling, inland cruising, equestrian and cycling. Other special interest sectors such as sailing and wellness also benefit.

The Deputy might also note that Fáilte Ireland actively seeks to promote special interest tourism through the international sports tourism initiative which was established by the Government in 2000 with the objective of attracting prestigious major international sporting events to Ireland. From its commencement, the initiative has supported a total of 74 international events to the end of 2004 with a funding allocation of €29 million.

In addition, up to €50 million in grant aid is provided under the European Regional Development Fund to support investment in tourism product, including special interest pursuits, over the period of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 through Fáilte Ireland's tourism product development scheme. The scheme is funded under the local enterprise development priority sub-programme of the two regional operational programmes and is administered by Fáilte Ireland. Last December, I agreed to Fáilte Ireland inviting a second round of investment proposals specifically under the special interest pursuits category of the scheme. Decisions in respect of grant allocations to individual projects are a matter for the independent product management boards specifically set up for this purpose.