Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the progress that has been made on implementing the recommendations of the tourism renewal group report since the inaugural meeting of the implementation group on 6 September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36771/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since the publication of the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group in October 2009, my Department has been driving progress on key measures in line with those in the Framework for Action, focusing initially on the Survival Actions, in conjunction with the tourism agencies and other relevant Departments and bodies. For example, building on the Renewal Group's Framework for Action along with the Government's wider strategy for economic renewal, Budget 2010 recognised the tourism sector as a critical, labour-intensive sector and provided for a 3% increase to over €153 million in the overall tourism services budget. This included maintaining the real level of investment in overseas marketing, as well as a significantly increased capital allocation for tourism product. The tourism sector was also included in several cross-cutting measures to support enterprises and jobs, including the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Credit Review System.

I established the new Tourism Renewal Implementation Group in July 2010 to oversee and further drive actions on measures, based on the wide-ranging Framework for Action, that support tourism in Ireland, increase competitiveness and ensure that the sector is ready for recovery and growth. The Group has already met twice under my Chairmanship on 6 and 20 September, and is scheduled to meet again on 27 October. Its first Progress Report, summarising progress on measures under the Framework for Action has been published on the homepage of my Department's website – http://www.tcs.gov.ie.

With regard to progress on implementing the recommended Survival Actions, the Tourism Renewal Implementation Group reports that we have either implemented or are making good progress on four of the five survival actions recommended by the Renewal Group. The sole exception relates to the recommended abolition of the Air Travel Tax, which has to be considered within the context of the overall fiscal framework. As regards the Recovery Actions, the Group notes good initial progress against each of these nine actions.

Having regard to the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group, the progress made to date on its recommended Framework for Action and the most urgent challenges facing the Irish tourism industry, the Implementation Group has now identified the following as the priority issues to be pursued in relation to public policy:

· The restoration of sustainable levels of business lending, in particular to ensure availability of working capital for viable tourism enterprises given the seasonal nature of the business;

· Measures to restore and enhance access to overseas markets, in particular to redress the adverse impact of the Air Travel Tax on carrier services;

· Continued investment in overseas marketing and

· Measures to address and reduce enterprise costs, including local authority rates and charges, energy and utility costs and the cost of labour.

The Implementation Group has also discussed the possibility of holding bilateral meetings with those organisations identified as having a key role under the various actions recommended, in order to review and ensure progress. In the coming months, we will be meeting representatives from the Office of Public Works, given the central importance of the OPW as manager of some of our most significant heritage sites, and with representatives from the City and County Managers' Association, given the key role of local authorities across a range of areas impacting on tourism.

In line with the Tourism Renewal Group's Framework for Action, the Government, my Department and the tourism agencies are working extremely hard to assist the sector, to maximise business for Irish tourism and to ensure that the tourism agenda is in all relevant policies. It is my strong belief that, drawing on the experience of members from both the public and private sector, with knowledge and expertise in tourism, transport, tour operation and accommodation, the Tourism Renewal Implementation Group will continue to oversee and drive further action on measures to support the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism in Ireland.