John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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491. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proportion of the annual tourism budget which is spent on research and development of the tourism product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43915/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The total budget for tourism in 2017 is almost €122m. This includes funding for our two tourism agencies Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the tourism marketing fund and for tourism product development. The capital allocation for tourism product development in 2017 is €12.450m, representing 10.2% of the overall tourism budget. A detailed breakdown of the tourism budget is provided in the 2017 Estimates Volume for the Transport, Tourism and Sport Vote.  

I am pleased to have secured an increased capital allocation for tourism product development in the Mid-term review of the Capital Plan, bringing the total available for spending in the four year period from 2018 to 2021 to almost €108 million.   

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in research and development of the tourism product. That is a matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. 

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 reply within ten working days.