Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on the recent marketing campaign for the The Gathering. [42299/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Gathering was an initiative carried out in 2013.  A designated budget of €12 million was provided for the project by my Department; €5 million in 2012 and a further €7 million in 2013. The core funding was supplemented by a range of cash and non-cash supports leveraged by The Gathering from key partners. The provision of a substantial range of supports by the Dublin Airport Authority and a €1 million Gathering event fund provided by IPB Insurance Ltd were chief among the partner supports secured.

Independent research undertaken on behalf of Fáilte Ireland indicated that, in 2013, between 250,000 and 275,000 overseas visitors to Ireland travelled specifically because of The Gathering. This growth in visitor numbers, directly attributable to The Gathering, was estimated to be worth approximately €170 million in revenue in 2013.

Any decisions in relation to subsequent marketing activity related to The Gathering would be operational matters for the Tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agencies in question for further details.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.​