Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will consider applications for grant aid from various towns and villages throughout County Kildare where the local communities are anxious to put on festivals or other supportive activities to coincide with the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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There are no funds directly at the disposal of my Department under which financial assistance can be made available to support tourism related projects such as that for festivals or other activities intended to coincide with the staging of the Ryder Cup at The K Club, Straffan, County Kildare, in September 2006.

The Deputy might wish to note that Fáilte Ireland administers a festivals and cultural events initiative, a scheme which was set up some years ago to expand regional tourism through festivals and cultural events by both assisting with the marketing of existing festivals as well as promoting new events. Decisions in respect of individual applications for support under the funding scheme are a matter for Fáilte Ireland.

In this regard, however, I understand that Fáilte Ireland would consider an application for funding under the 2006 festivals and cultural events initiative for activities associated with the Ryder Cup as part of a co-ordinated effort by Kildare Fáilte, which, I am informed, plans to hold a "K County Festival" next year around the time of the Ryder Cup.

I also understand that Fáilte Ireland, in the context of increased marketing funds secured under the 2006 Estimates, is considering allocating additional marketing funds to support national and regional activities in 2006 to ensure the continued sustainability of Irish golf tourism both during and after the staging of the prestigious Ryder Cup event.