Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has put in place plans or provisions to enhance or develop the tourism sector with a view to ensuring the development of the industry notwithstanding Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40153/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" was published in March 2015 and in July 2015, the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport appointed a Tourism Leadership Group, to put in place a series of Action Plans, setting out the actions required to achieve the overall objectives set out in the Tourism Policy Statement.

The Tourism Action Plan 2019-2021, published in December 2018, sets out the actions identified as priorities to be progressed during this period to maintain sustainable growth in overseas tourism revenue and employment, and aims to further build relationships within the tourism industry and encourage collaboration between all tourism stakeholders.

In Budget 2019, I secured a 26% increase in funding for the tourism sector, which represents the largest increase in the tourism budget in 15 years. This increased funding has allowed Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to continue to grow tourism regionally and across the seasons in line with key policy objectives. 

The promotion and development of tourism are primarily matters for the boards and managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for further reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.