Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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375. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Fáilte Ireland tourism capital investment programme will be open to new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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While the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provides funding for capital investment in tourism, the allocation of these funds is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  The Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not engaged in the administration of tourism–related grant programmes.  

In this regard, Fáilte Ireland administer the Tourism Capital Investment Programme (TCIP).   The funds available under that the programme are fully committed to the end of 2016.  Accordingly, Fáilte Ireland is unable to accept new applications for funding.  Furthermore, the authority has worked most recently to actively identify specific opportunities for investment which align with strategic objectives rather than passively awaiting applications.  Such a strategic approach is, I believe, a more effective way of deploying public resources to support the growth of tourism, especially from overseas.

The point at which Fáilte Ireland will be in a position to consider new proposals for capital funding is dependent on the annual estimates and budgetary process but I am hopeful that we will be in a position to progress a range of developments as funding becomes available in coming years.