Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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570. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the development of new activity-tourism infrastructure in the north west; if exciting activity-tourism projects such as the Sligo greenway and Coolaney National Mountain Bike Centre will attract new tourists to the region; if the north west region can become a major activity-tourism hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4842/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Sligo County Council submitted a proposal to my Department for funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the Sligo section of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Greenway.  While funding was not awarded on that occasion I understand that in the interim Sligo County Council have been developing the planning and environmental elements associated with this proposal in order to be best placed under future funding calls.

As regards funding for cycling infrastructure, to date this has been focussed on Greenways and urban infrastructure.  Funding may be available through EU funded schemes for other types of cycling tourism measures and contact should be made with the North and Western Regional Assembly for advice in this regard.

In regard to the development of activity tourism and the development of activity tourism infrastructure, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy with further detail.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.