Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will explain the proposed reduced price transport for senior citizens from other countries scheme highlighted in budget 2010; his views on the stimulus this project will give to the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47992/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In his Financial Statement on Budget 2010 made last week, my colleague, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, Minister for Finance, announced that Iarnród Éireann has agreed to participate in a new scheme, to be developed by Fáilte Ireland, as an imaginative initiative to increase tourism numbers next year. The scheme, which is to be aimed at senior citizens visiting Ireland from abroad, will offer vouchers for greatly discounted rail travel throughout Ireland. The initiative responds to proposals from the tourism industry to extend the current free travel scheme for senior citizens resident in Ireland to British visitors.

The potential of such an initiative to generate interest in Ireland as a destination was recognised by the Tourism Renewal Group. Anything that adds value and sends out a message of affordability for potential visitors to the island of Ireland is welcome in the current highly competitive environment. The Renewal Group's Report recommended that an off-season scheme be piloted, at no additional cost to the Exchequer, to widen access to free public transport for OAP visitors from abroad. It is in that context that the Minister for Finance made his announcement. As explained in his Financial Statement, more information on this initiative will be given by Fáilte Ireland and Iarnród Éireann in the coming weeks when the details have been finalised.