Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the data that exists to measure the success of the Wild Atlantic Way; his views on the anecdotal evidence that the Wild Atlantic Way has so far been an enormous success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if data exists for the number of car rentals per annum; if 2014 has seen an increase; if this increase can be attributed wholly or partly to the development of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork.  Budget 2014 provided €8 million in capital investment for the development of the route to complete the route signage, develop and enhance discovery points on the route as well as other infrastructural works. While the route infrastructure is still being fully developed, the Wild Atlantic Way is a central feature of our overseas promotion through Tourism Ireland in 2014 and I understand that it has been very well received by the overseas tourist trade.  That said, it would be next year before we would expect the route to start getting international recognition. 

Monitoring systems are being developed to measure the success of the initiative and these will be rolled out as appropriate over time.  While there is a lot of positive anecdotal evidence from businesses along the route about the impact of the route, it is too early to start making definitive assessments.

In regard to car rental statistics, figures for rentals in 2014 are not available to me. There are many companies offering car rentals in Ireland but the actual numbers of rentals that each company makes is commercially sensitive information.  However, I would be confident that the sector is benefitting from the strong growth in overseas visitors and revenue to date this year.