Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector here continues to attract sporting and activity tourism; the extent to which growth in this sector has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49627/17]

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 management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland and drive international visitor numbers.  In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.

It is estimated that overseas sporting and activity tourism is worth approx. €900 million to Ireland every year. 

I am very supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors. 

With regard to activity tourism, I am pleased to have secured additional funding for the development of Greenways in the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, bringing the total amount available for the development of Greenways in the period 2018 -2021 to almost €56m.