Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of jobs that have been created in the heritage sector since 2005 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31524/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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While there is no comprehensive data available on employment in the heritage sector, I am satisfied that the sector is making an important contribution to the Irish economy. For example, Fáilte Ireland's Survey of Travellers 2008 estimates that up to €2.3 billion was generated for the Irish economy from overseas tourists who engaged in cultural and heritage pursuits. Fáilte Ireland's Overseas Holidaymakers Survey 2008 shows that 67% of overseas visitors engaged in historical/cultural visits while 23% visited gardens. In the same year, 26% of domestic holidaymakers visited national parks, 25% visited houses/castles, 20% visited gardens, and 15% visited heritage/interpretative centres.