John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps which will be taken to increase tourism potential in rural areas as part of the action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4136/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential is one of the key pillars of the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.

Tourism is of key importance to the economic wellbeing of rural Ireland and the sector supports many thousands of jobs in rural areas. The Action Plan for Rural Development recognises the further growth potential that tourism presents for rural communities. The Plan sets out 50 distinct actions designed to maximise our rural tourism and recreation potential. These combined actions aim to increase overseas tourists to rural Ireland by 12% by 2019.

Through the Action Plan for Rural Development, we will support job creation through targeted initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, and by developing the potential of Ireland's Lakelands. We will also develop cross-Border tourism initiatives to support the tourism potential of the Border region.

We will promote and increase Activity Tourism in rural areas through the development of Greenways, Blueways and other niche tourism products. My own Department will fund the Rural Recreation Scheme and the National Walks Scheme and will develop a Public Outdoor Recreation Amenities Plan to transform the provision of outdoor recreation facilities on publicly-owned land and waterways.

We will also develop and promote our natural and built heritage through capital investment in our National Parks and Nature Reserves, through investment in the Gaeltacht areas, and by progressing the designation of additional sites in UNESCO's World Heritage list.

My Department will work closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Heritage Council and other key stakeholders around the country, such as Waterways Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and local authorities, to deliver these actions.