Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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858. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector has contributed to national economic recovery; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the provisions in place to facilitate the future development and expansion of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22810/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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860. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any particular sectors of the tourism sector in 2016 so far have shown particular potential for growth, with consequent economic benefit in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22812/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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864. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full extent of growth within the tourism sector, with particular reference to the total number of persons employed; the scope for further development resulting in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22816/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I propose to take Questions Nos. 858, 860 and 864 together.

Tourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economic recovery. 2015 was a record year for Irish tourism when we recorded more than 8.6 million overseas visits contributing an estimated €4.2 billion (excluding carrier receipts) to the Irish economy.  CSO figures for the first five months of 2016 show that there were over three million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 13.7% on the same period of 2015.

Thankfully all of our main target markets are showing good growth levels with visits from North America up by over 18%, visits from Mainland Europe up by 11.5% and visits from Great Britain up by over 15%. With regard to revenue, the most recent CSO Quarterly Tourism and Travel publication shows that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding carrier receipts) in the first three months of 2016 amounted to over €693 million, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2015.

The Quarterly National Household Survey figures indicate that employment in the ‘Accommodation and Food Service Activities’ sector was 145,900 (seasonally adjusted) for the first quarter of 2016, compared with 135,400 in the same period last year, a rise of 7.8%. This is having real economic benefits for towns and villages right across the country.

Tourism Ireland’s targets for 2016 are to grow overseas visit numbers by a further 4%, and grow the associated revenue by 5%. Early figures for 2016 suggest that we are likely to exceed these amounts. Obviously the recent EU Referendum decision may have implications on outbound tourism but the Great Britain market will remain of significant importance to Irish tourism and I believe that Ireland's excellent tourism offering  will ensure that we continue to perform strongly. Tourism Ireland is closely monitoring the situation and is due to meet with tourism industry representatives later this week to plan ahead in this new market environment. Amongst the longer-term tourism goals, as outlined in the Government's Tourism Policy Statement are that by 2025: revenue from overseas visitors will increase to €5 billion, net of inflation supported by 10 million overseas visits to Ireland annually and I am confident that we will achieve these targets. 

In 2015, a Tourism Leadership Group was appointed to put in place a Tourism Action Plan containing key actions required in the period to 2018 in order to achieve the overall objectives in the Policy Statement. The Tourism Action Plan was published in January and contains actions across a range of key issues including skills in the tourism industry; supply of visitor accommodation; overseas tourism marketing, and the contribution of Local Authorities to tourism development. My Department is now working closely with the tourism agencies on the implementation of all of the 23 actions contained in the Plan.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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859. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which potential growth opportunities for business tourism in this country continue to be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22811/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Decisions on potential opportunities for business tourism are a matter for Fáilte Ireland. These decisions are not subject to my approval. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Parliamentary Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.