Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures he intends to introduce to assist the restaurant sector here which employs one in four workers in the tourism industry and contributing €2 billion to the Exchequer; if he intends to increase marketing support for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43037/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received pre budget submissions from an organisation (details supplied); the action he plans to take to address the issue of this sector which is under threat due to the high cost base here and the fall off in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43091/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to develop a food tourism policy or strategic policy guidelines; if he recognises the importance of food to the tourist economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43093/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370, 371 and 372, together.

I have received a copy of the pre-budget submission from the Restaurants Association of Ireland to the Minister for Finance. The submission will be considered in the context of policy responses for the tourism industry as a whole, as well as the general economy, in the forthcoming budget.

I consider that there are real opportunities to grow Ireland as a food tourism destination and I recognise the potential to greatly enhance the experience of tourists visiting Ireland through the provision of good food and enjoyable dining experiences. Under section 8(1) (a) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, individual actions and measures relating to tourism promotion or development, including promotion of particular sectors such as food tourism, are functions of Fáilte Ireland. Insofar as Food Tourism is concerned, Fáilte Ireland is leading and working with Government Departments, Agency partners and Industry stakeholders, including the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), to position Ireland as one of the world's outstanding authentic food tourism destinations and to position Irish Food Experiences at the core of Ireland's Tourism Brand. Sustainable development is crucial to success and Ireland's reputation as a green and natural island will be explored as part of the strategy development.

The depth and variety of food-based tourism products that Ireland has to offer is being highlighted and supported by advertising the wide range of food festivals taking place around the country. Examples include a Taste of Dublin, a 'Taste of Ireland' Food Festival as part of the Derby Festival at the Curragh, the Connemara Lamb Festival and the Waterford Food Festival. Fáilte Ireland is also recognising and promoting excellence in the sector through sponsorship of a number of awards including the Georgina Campbell Best Breakfast award and the RAI awards initiatives.

Fáilte Ireland is also supporting a number of trade groups including the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Good Food Ireland, the Fabulous Food Trails and the Whiskey Trail to assist them in furthering their activities in this area. Support is being provided in the form of direct marketing supports as well as "in-kind" supports in the form of reductions in fees for training members of groups in areas such as developing menus and in improving online capability.

To assist businesses in becoming more effective and efficient, Fáilte Ireland is providing a range of business support services. These supports include a Business mentoring and coaching service, a Business advisory service, the Optimus programme and Performance Plus – online business tools. Fáilte Ireland also provides restaurant sector specific supports including:

A chefs workshop programme: sweat the menu, reduce the cost and savour the profit,

A front of house productivity programme and

A quality food toolkit CD resource.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the nationwide strategy for eco-tourism and associated marketing campaign announced in December 2008 in the Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal report. [43138/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps Fáilte Ireland has taken since December 2008 to support upgrading staff skills and management capacities in the tourism sector as announced in the Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal report. [43141/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress since December 2008 in developing niche cultural tourism markets with globally recognised branding as announced in the Building Ireland's Smart Economy report. [43151/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 374, and 375 together.

In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Failte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of Tourism traffic within and to the State and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State.

I am informed that, in relation to the matter of eco-tourism, Fáilte Ireland has undertaken market research in Ireland's principal overseas markets to provide a clearer understanding of the potential size of the ecotourism market within the broader context of natural heritage. This research is now feeding into the development of a natural heritage strategy, part of which is focussed specifically on ecotourism.

Ecotourism is one of the themes for the new Tourism Learning Networks, which are being run on behalf of Fáilte Ireland in 2009. In January 2009, Fáilte Ireland, in association with the Greenbox project, launched an "Ecotourism Handbook" which is a practical guide to both existing tourism businesses and those who wish to start new businesses.

Fáilte Ireland is committed to the promotion of high standards in environmental practice across all sectors of tourism. In this context, it has recently contracted for the establishment of a 'green label' for tourism, which would be available to tourism establishments.

Failte Ireland has also been involved with a group in the Burren to establish it as a destination for ecotourism. This project involves training in environmental standards, certification and the development of a holistic ecotourism experience in the area which meets the needs of international consumers, as highlighted in recent research.

During 2010, Fáilte Ireland intends working with other industry groups in the development of sustainable environmental practices and ecotourism experiences.

In relation to upgrading staff skills and management capacities, I am informed that, in 2009, Fáilte Ireland is providing training for 6,000 students/trainees across a range of craft based programmes. Fáilte Ireland is also providing funding to ten Institutes of Technology and the DIT to facilitate the training of 2,047 students in skills and supervisory areas, up to Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC) 6.

Fáilte Ireland has a range of capacity building programmes designed and delivered specifically to meet the development needs of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and microenterprises (MEs). These programmes take the form of peer learning networks, seminars, workshops, mentoring and coaching sessions. It is expected that approximately 6,200 senior managers and owner/managers of tourism enterprises will benefit from these programmes in 2009.

The Renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to position Ireland as an important international cultural tourism destination.

In relation to developing niche cultural tourism markets with globally recognised branding, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, in association with the tourism and arts bodies and cultural institutions under its aegis, is engaged in a Cultural Tourism Initiative, which is building on cooperation and synergy between these bodies. The aim is to enable Ireland to more effectively market cultural tourism and address the needs of overseas and domestic tourists who wish to experience Ireland's cultural and artistic resources.

A Steering Group, consisting of representatives of the Department, State tourism agencies, cultural institutions and State arts organisations was established to identify and pursue specific actions in line with the goals of the Initiative. Actions taken to date have included more cohesive integration of marketing arrangements for cultural attractions, and the development of downloadable audio guides. The Cultural Tourism Initiative is also working with the Irish Film Board to encourage the use of locations of cultural value in Ireland as venues for film and television production.

The Initiative will be reviewed at the end of 2009 in order to decide what further actions may be necessary. Fáilte Ireland have progressed a number of new initiatives in this area over the past 12 months, including the further development of the traditional culture experience, the further development of the literary tourism experience and the marketing and awareness of our cultural offering.

In addition, the development of cultural tourism markets is also being advanced by the marketing of the national cultural institutions, the promotion of Culture Night in September to a wider number of towns, and progress being made in relation to major national cultural projects such as the Druid in Galway, the Limerick City Art Gallery in Limerick, the Niland in Sligo, the Waterford Theatre Royal and the re-development of the National Concert Hall.

Culture Night was held on 25 September 2009 in 11 cities and towns. The cultural institutions remained open until late in the evening thereby encouraging people of all ages and from all backgrounds, from both Ireland and abroad, to experience a wide range of cultural activity.