Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in the tourist industry that the marketing budget, particularly in the US market, should be maintained in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33440/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This year saw record levels of Exchequer current investment for Tourism services — a total of almost €153 million. Within this, an amount of €50 million was provided for overseas marketing of Ireland as a tourist destination, the highest ever amount provided for such purposes and an increase of 11% on the 2007 provision.

Next year's budgets for tourism will be decided in the context of the Estimates process which, as the Deputy is aware, is ongoing. Obviously we are in a particularly challenging economic situation at present and in allocating resources, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. In this regard, I am aware that this is also a challenging time for the tourism industry and I am committed to seeking the optimum funding, including funding for international tourism marketing, within a framework of sound public finances and value for money to help ensure that the impressive tourism performance in recent years is maintained in the years ahead. In terms of prioritising the overseas markets to focus on and the breakdown of spend between these markets, these will of course be primarily matters for the tourism agencies to determine.