Written answers

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Tourism Promotion

5:00 pm

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the developments in outdoor tourism including off-road biking tourism; his views on the work that Fáilte Ireland is doing in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1552/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to the area of national policy, and it is not involved in the development of individual sectors of the tourism industry. The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

For the Deputy's information, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland has supported capital investment in off-road biking facilities. In 2011, Fáilte Ireland approved funding, under the Tourism Capital Investment Programme, for the development of a mountain biking facility near Killarney, Co. Kerry. Also, a mountain biking facility at Ballyhoura, Co. Limerick, was supported under a previous tourism capital funding programme.

The Mayo Greenway, developed with support from both my Department and from the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Capital Investment Programme, also provides a safe, motor traffic-free route for walking and cycling. In 2011, funding was announced for the extension of the Greenway, including a cycleway to Croagh Patrick and the development of a linear route to connect to Castlebar, via Islandeady and also establish a link onto the existing Castlebar walking loops.

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