Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Gathering project 2013; if he will provide details of the way local community groups can get involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45162/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to report continued good progress in the preparations for "The Gathering Ireland 2013" which will be Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative.

Fáilte Ireland is the lead agency for the implementation of  the initiative and has put in place a Project Executive Team to implement it.  Tourism Ireland has specific responsibility for promoting The Gathering in overseas markets and has also provided staff for the Project Team.

The St. Patrick's day festivities were used for the overseas launch while a major domestic launch took place on Friday 11th May 2012 in Dublin Castle. Since then both Minister Ring and I have attended a number of events overseas to mobilise support for the initiative. The Gathering Ireland 2013 was the title sponsor of the Notre Dame Navy US football game in September which received widespread coverage in the United States. President Higgins also promoted The Gathering Ireland during his recent visit to South America and  further publicity events in our main overseas tourism markets are planned for the remainder of the year.

In terms of domestic activity, local Gathering Coordinators have been appointed in each county and steering committees have been formed. Over 7000 people have attended 52 community meetings throughout Ireland since June.  Individuals and community groups can see what is already planned in their area by logging on to the Gathering website where planned events are shown by county. The website also provides online supports and ideas for those interested in setting up their own event. I am informed that there are now more than 600 individual events pledged on "The Gathering Ireland 2013" website and this is increasing daily. Amongst the most common are clan gatherings, twin town trips, school and work reunions, genealogical projects and family reunions.

In terms of resources, this year my Department has allocated a budget of €5 million for the initiative. While in general the Gathering is intended to be a voluntary effort by communities at home and abroad, with some targeted funding for major events, details of arrangements for local authorities to fund Gathering events at county/local level are also being worked out at present and will be announced shortly.