Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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872. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1134 of 17 May 2016, if no costing analysis or exercise has been undertaken for the projects proposed for development such as those mentioned in the response; the way he arrived at the figure of €100 million to set aside for the development of the Wild Atlantic Way; the total amount which has been spent on the development of the attraction to date, including moneys spent by agencies, such as Fáilte Ireland, for marketing purposes; the total amount spent by the local authorities; and if the €100 million in funding will be used to develop other attractions not along the western corridor. [12951/16]

Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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875. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend to date on all aspects of the funding streams available for development of the Wild Atlantic Way; the number of private and-or voluntary organisations and public sector projects which have made applications; the amount of the funding applied for by each project; the amount funded to each application; the spend to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12960/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 872 and 875 together.

The Deputy will be aware from my answer of 17 May 2016 that the Government is seeking to set aside €100 million in additional capital funding for a number of projects, including the Wild Atlantic Way, an Atlantic Blueway route, the Ireland Way, development of a nationwide Greenway network, and a doubling of the funding available for the Rural Walks Scheme.

Investment in tourism initiatives is undertaken by the tourism agencies, in accordance with public financial procedures. In the case of tourism capital investment, Fáilte Ireland is the relevant agency and potential projects for prudent and valuable investment, which will be funded from the additional €100 million committed to by Government, will be identified by Fáilte Ireland. Cost benefit analyses, business cases, and project plans will be undertaken on a project by project basis, rather than at the level of a Programme for Government.

In relation to expenditure to date on the promotion and development of the Wild Atlantic Way, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have therefore referred the Deputy's questions to both agencies for direct reply. The Deputy should contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.