Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if has reconsidered the decision by his predecessor to cancel the plans for a national diaspora centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14069/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​On 16 February 2015, having regard to the Tourism Policy Statement "People Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025" and other considerations, it was agreed by the previous Government that it would not proceed with a single National Diaspora Centre. It is of course open to any individual promoter to seek support for the development of a centre through Fáilte Ireland's grants scheme for large tourism projects. The scheme sets out to encourage innovation to support the long-term sustainable development of tourism across Ireland. In order to facilitate innovation, the scheme takes an outcome led approach to financial support, rather than being prescriptive in terms of the types of projects eligible for funding.  All proposals are considered by Fáilte Ireland on their merits. Further details of the scheme are available on Fáilte Ireland's website.  While the programme is not open to applications at the present time, it is expected Failte Ireland will issue a further call for new proposals towards the end of this year.