Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I understand that Dublin Fruit Market is owned by Dublin City Council. Neither I, my Department nor any of its agencies has any involvement in or accountability for the market. I understand there are currently no Fáilte Ireland funding schemes that the Dublin Fruit Market would be eligible to apply for but that Fáilte Ireland could engage with Dublin City Council in any review by the Council of the tourism potential of the market.

My role and that of my Department officials in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.

From the point of view of tourism, the Dublin Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-27 is a roadmap for the tourism industry and all stakeholders involved in tourism in the region to navigate the current challenges and steer a course towards a sustainable recovery and continued success. Over the course of this strategy, in addition to activation of the Dublin Coastal Trail, the ongoing implementation of the Docklands Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), and the Dublin City DEDP, which was launched last year, Fáilte Ireland will develop Mountains DEDP,commencing 2023.

2022 was a busy year for the Dublin Region with a number of projects and initiatives completed. For example, Dublin's Surprising Stories Small Grants (€1.7 Million), were all completed in 2022 allowing for better international language provision and story interpretation across 10 key visitor attractions.

In addition, Failte Ireland's Digital That Delivers (DTD) programme ensured that 43 Dublin industry received €1.15 million in capital investment to improve their digital capability ensuring they promote, win and convert business.

2022 also saw the first complete year of the Winter in Dublin Programme, with a marketing campaign reaching over €5 million, building on Dublin's positioning as a Winter Break Capital.