Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which an ongoing strategy exists to preserve, promote and exploit for tourism and educational purposes, the various historical locations, sites and buildings throughout the country; the degree to which a marketing plan exists in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31944/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While the promotion of Ireland as a tourist designation is primarily a matter for Tourism Ireland and the development of tourism is the responsibility of Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, I am committed to availing of every possible opportunity to project a positive global image for Ireland. The unique qualities of Ireland’s national heritage play a significant role in enhancing and projecting Ireland’s image abroad, and in supporting economic renewal through cultural and heritage tourism and in downstream opportunities, such as in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors. The latest Fáilte Ireland figures show that over 3.7 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural or historical visits while in Ireland in 2013. Over 2.4 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while over 1.5 million visited our archaeological monuments. I also understand that in 2013 there were in excess of 4.1 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works provides a guide service, up from 3.7 million in 2012.

My Department’s network of National Parks and Nature Reserves are also a major part of Ireland’s tourism attractions. My Department is supporting the greater use of our parks and reserves in a manner which is compatible with conservation and protection of their biodiversity. Ireland’s National Parks are the most popular destinations for the domestic holiday market, with 23% of this tourism market segment visiting the Parks in 2011.

My Department has also been actively involved in a wide range of activities to support heritage tourism, both in co-operation with bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works, and in promoting its own initiatives. For example the "Places to See" page on promotes the work of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and actively engages the public in the appreciation of our architectural heritage while the "Monuments to Visit" page on pinpoints lesser known national monuments and provides details of what the visitor can expect to find on arrival. In 2014, my Department is also providing €350,000 to the Office of Public Works to support its efforts in the conservation and promotion of the State’s heritage portfolio throughout the country.

My Department will continue to develop visitor facilities in national parks where resources allow, such as walking and cycling routes, enhanced signage and interpretation. In recent years my Department opened modern visitor centres at Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, and Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Offaly, as well as a visitor information point for the Burren National Park in Corofin, Co. Clare.

Killarney House in Killarney National Park is currently undergoing major refurbishment to transform it into the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park with a focus on interpreting the parks natural wealth. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with OPW as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million towards the project, under its Tourism Investment Programme.

In addition, my Department is continuing in 2014 to provide core funding for several heritage organisations such as the Heritage Council, which supports a range of initiatives including National Heritage Week, the Irish Heritage Trust and the Irish Architectural Foundation, which runs the successful Open House event each year.

My Department, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council will this year be concluding its pilot programme, the Historic Towns Initiative, in Youghal, Westport and Listowel and with the local authorities in each town. The primary objective with this initiative is to ensure that the participating towns have access to, and an understanding of, appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. Meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands. Funding was allocated to the three town councils in 2013 and 2014 by my Department and in 2013 by Fáilte Ireland for the pilot phase for a mix of tourism-related and capital works projects.