Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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846. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will furnish a reply to correspondence (details supplied); if he will ensure financial support is provided for this flagship tourism event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30240/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that I received the Deputy's correspondence dated 17 June concerning an unsuccessful application for funding under Fáilte Ireland's Festivals and Participative Events Regional Programme 2015.

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 Participative Events Regional Programme.

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 benefit to the economy and tourism.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.