Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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870. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the national events funding scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26498/16]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.  While the Department provides the funding for investment in tourism offerings, it is not directly involved in developing or managing such projects. This is a matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.

Fáilte Ireland runs the National Festivals and Participative Events Programme and the Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme on an annual basis.  The deadline for the current National Programme is 12pm on 5th October 2016.  Details of the Regional Programme have yet to be announced.

The provision of funding from these programmes is decided on an annual basis by Fáilte Ireland, based on applications received.  The Festivals and Events programmes are a competitive grant process, funding being awarded to those applicant events and festivals that best meet the advertised criteria for the relevant programme.  As the programme fund is limited with demand usually exceeding available funding, there is no guarantee of funding or of the level of funding for events and festivals that achieve the minimum eligibility conditions. 

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you have not received a response within ten working days.