Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1641. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the roles of former regional tourism authorities been integrated into Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31904/15]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1643. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way Fáilte Ireland fulfils its regional tourism development functions in the Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31906/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1641 and 1643 together. ​

Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.  Its primary functions are the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry. 

Most of the regional tourism authorities were dissolved in 2006 and their staff, assets and responsibilities transferred to Fáilte Ireland.  In keeping with those reforms and the Government's programme for the rationalisation of State agencies, Dublin Tourism was dissolved in 2012 and its staff, assets and responsibilities transferred to Fáilte Ireland.  Finally, responsibility for Shannon Development's tourism activities, and the related staff and assets, was transferred to Fáilte Ireland in 2013.  Accordingly, Fáilte Ireland has operational responsibility for the development of tourism regionally, including in Cork, whereas Tourism Ireland is operationally responsible for overseas tourism marketing.

With regard to Fáilte Ireland's tourism development activities in the Cork region, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the agency in ten days.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1642. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the south west region, which includes counties Cork and Kerry and is the largest regional destination for tourism outside of Dublin, the plans in place to market the region as a distinct destination; if there is any one person or group of persons responsible for developing and marketing the region as a tourist destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31905/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As set out in the Government's Tourism Policy Statement, "People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025" there is low awareness of Ireland's county boundaries among potential overseas visitors and therefore expenditure by public or private entities on marketing an individual county to consumers in overseas markets is unlikely to provide an adequate return on investment.  This is if, course, equally true of regions which combine administrative areas for statistical or administrative purposes.  Instead, the focus must be on the potential visitor. Based on research on the demographic segments of our overseas markets with a higher likelihood to select Ireland as a destination, the tourism agencies are developing and promoting tourism propositions of scale capable of achieving international cut-through and securing consumer attention, namely the experience brands of the Wild Atlantic Way, Dublin Plus, Ireland's Ancient East.  In regard to the South West region, Kerry features prominently in the Wild Atlantic Way and Cork is strongly represented in both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East.  

I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for further detail on the development and marketing of the region as part of these experience brands.  Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.