John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the success of The Gathering 2013 in terms of tourism generated and the promotion of Ireland to the world; the amount of Government funding allocated to the promotion of The Gathering 2013; the estimated revenue directly generated as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27377/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Working closely with Fáilte Ireland which supported local communities and other stakeholders in creating the many gatherings and events around the country, the Gathering Ireland 2013 was also a major focus of Tourism Ireland’s overseas promotions throughout 2012 and 2013. In this regard, the agency engaged with the Irish diaspora worldwide and undertook an increased focus on the promotion of roots tourism. Tourism Ireland estimates that the international marketing of The Gathering Ireland reached 200 million people worldwide through a wide range of media and promotional activity. Publicity was an integral element of the promotional programme; 1,500 international journalists visited during the year and subsequently wrote and broadcast about the Gathering, generating an estimated €75 million in positive publicity worldwide.

  A designated budget of €12 million was provided for the project by my Department; €5 million in 2012 and a further €7 million in 2013. This was supplemented by a further €1 million provided by Fáilte Ireland. The €13 million core funding was supplemented by a range of cash and non-cash supports leveraged by The Gathering from key partners. The provision of a substantial range of supports by the Dublin Airport Authority and a €1 million Gathering event fund provided by IPB Insurance Ltd were chief among the partner supports secured. Independent research undertaken on behalf of Failte Ireland indicates that in 2013  between 250,000 and 275,000 overseas visitors to Ireland travelled specifically because of ‘the Gathering’. This growth in visitor numbers, directly attributable to the Gathering, was estimated to be worth approximately €170 million in revenue in 2013.