Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 554: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourist offices that Fáilte Ireland operates here; the location of same; the number of employees per site; the amount of turnover per site; the cost of each site per year including rent, utility bills and associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29634/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 555: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Fáilte Ireland has proposals to close down any tourist offices by the end of 2011 or during 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29635/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 556: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any meetings with or communication from Fáilte Ireland outlining its plans for the network of tourists offices here; if the current number of offices is feasible to maintain under the current economic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29636/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 557: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any study has been undertaken to ascertain the economic value to a town or historical site of a tourist office and the economic impact the withdrawal of a tourist office would have on a town or historical site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29637/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 558: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria Fáilte Ireland uses when deciding the location of a tourist office; the criteria it uses when deciding if an open tourist office is viable; the criteria it uses when deciding to close a tourist office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29638/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 559: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to plans to close down tourist offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29639/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 559, inclusive, together.

Fáilte Ireland operates an extensive network of Tourism Information Offices throughout the country. Each office has travel advisors to advise tourists when they are planning a holiday and to provide on the spot assistance and information to tourists when they arrive in a particular location. The management and staffing of the offices, their opening hours and their locations are administrative matters for Fáilte Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland has over recent years reconfigured service delivery, reshaped its services and prioritised the locations where Tourism Information Offices are provided in order to use its resources more efficiently. As part of this, Fáilte Ireland has been pursuing, where possible, the provision of tourism information offices by local communities and businesses. I have not discussed the operation of any specific Tourist Information Offices with Fáilte Ireland, although as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure all options are being considered in terms of cost savings and future service provision. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide you with the detailed information you have requested. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.