Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the provision of specific Fáilte Ireland offices in tourism hubs which are not in close proximity to the existing office for that region such as the County Louth coastline which is served by an office in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [15617/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, whereas the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy.  In line with the functions as set out in legislation, the management of the Tourist Information Office network is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

I am advised by Fáilte Ireland that it currently operates 30 tourist offices in areas of high tourist traffic around Ireland.  Furthermore, the agency also supports a network of 40 community-run tourist information offices in locations of lower tourist footfall, which are operated under licence to Fáilte Ireland.  In such locations, Fáilte Ireland provides the community tourist information offices with staff training, online information support and tourism promotional literature (such as maps, accommodation guides and tourist information guides).  All official tourist information and promotional material is produced centrally and disseminated through Fáilte Ireland's national distribution service to all its supported tourist information offices, including the community-run offices.

With specific regard to County Louth, I understand that Fáilte Ireland currently licences three community tourist information offices in the county - in Carlingford (Cooley Peninsula), Drogheda and Dundalk and does not service the county or its coastline from its Mullingar office.  In the case of an area that wishes to expand its information provision to tourists, Fáilte Ireland can provide guidance and advice on the establishment of a community tourist information office.