Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which tourism projects such as the development of an amenity (details supplied) can benefit rural towns and villages in view of the action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27577/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development recognises the contribution that tourism makes to the rural economy and includes a series of actions to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential.

Recreational tourism is a key growth sector worldwide and has been identified as a priority for Irish tourism in future years. The development and promotion of this sector provides opportunities for economic growth in rural areas in particular, by facilitating businesses to leverage the tourism assets in their area in a sustainable way to support recreational activities such as canoeing, cycling, angling and hill walking. These activities provide new incentives for people to visit an area and can attract a new profile of visitor.

The amenity referred to by the Deputy is part of Ireland’s Ancient East and consists of a 70km walking trail along a path originally used by horses pulling barges and boats to warehouses and factories. There are a number of towns and villages along the route that provide a range of services and facilities to walkers and I believe that continued development of the amenity will serve to support the economic development of the area as a whole, as well as increasing the quality of the tourism offering to walkers along the route. The Action Plan for Rural Development will support sustainable jobs through targeted tourism initiatives, promoting recreational tourism, and developing and promoting our natural and built heritage, including in Gaeltacht areas.