Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he plans to take to assist a group (details supplied) that has been promoting the tourism potential of the towns of Roscrea and Birr since 2005 in view of the fact that its funding under the community services programme is to be withdrawn. [49562/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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Funding under the Community Services Programme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.  My Department has no role regarding this programme.  There is no mechanism by which similar funding could be provided to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy by either my Department or the tourism agencies.

Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy that much work is being done by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to develop and promote tourism in the midlands region.  As this is an operational matter for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing and Fáilte Ireland in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion - I have referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for consideration and direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you have not received replies within ten working days.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop and brand midland tourism in the same way as the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ancient East have been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49563/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the development, implementation or management of individual tourism projects.  These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  Similarly, I do not have a direct role in relation to the development, implementation or management of branding strategies. 

In line with the Programme for Government, Fáilte Ireland commissioned a Destination and Feasibility Study to ascertain the potential growth and best mechanism to unlock those areas that lie between the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East, which includes the Lakelands, in the final quarter of 2016.  The completed study suggested a number of options to create a distinctive tourism brand for the midlands.  I understand that Fáilte Ireland is currently in the process of testing brand concepts and is engaging with relevant stakeholders.  

While a draft proposal has been submitted to my Department, Fáilte Ireland is currently developing a more detailed proposal for this project, which I expect to receive in December.  An initial capital investment of €1m was secured in Budget 2018 to allow Fáilte Ireland to progress its work on a brand for the Midlands during 2018.