Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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656. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will he support a grant application for funding toward a Rock of Cashel Promotions outdoor concert event (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25117/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism is concerned primarily with national policy, and it is not involved in the funding of individual events, or the administration of tourism-related funding programmes.

These matters fall within the day-to-day responsibilities of Fáilte Ireland, which operates the Festivals and Events programmes. The provision of funding from these programmes is decided on an annual basis by Fáilte Ireland, based on applications received.  It is a competitive grant process, and funding is awarded to those applicant events and festivals that best meet the advertised criteria for the relevant programme, including the expected impact on tourism.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that following that competitive process, I announced on the 3rd March this year, Fáilte Ireland have approved a grant of €3,000 to the Rock of Cashel Festival in 2015.