Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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967.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to stimulate tourism in Drogheda given the recent loss of tourism accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33210/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and our communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. Drogheda is a key part of the Ancient Destination Experience Development Plan which is the Fáilte Ireland roadmap for development of tourism in Louth and Meath, including the Boyne Valley and environs.

In Budget 2024, I secured total funding of €216 million for the tourism sector which allows for the continued support of tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Of this allocation, up to €10 million is available for a specific programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed-stock displacement.

The tourism importance of Drogheda is recognised by the significant funding that Fáilte Ireland has allocated to the town under its Urban Animation Scheme, in order to further enliven landmark buildings and structures in Drogheda’s historic landscape. The collaboration between Fáilte Ireland and Louth County Council on the potential development of an attraction of scale focused on the Boyne is also welcome.

In tandem with the work of Fáilte Ireland, my Department is progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. Issues around tourism accommodation stock will be considered as part of the new policy framework and subsequent action plan - this work continues apace.

The range of challenges experienced by Drogheda, due to displacement of tourism accommodation, serve as an example of similar challenges across the country that must be addressed. It is clear that a collective and concerted multi-stakeholder approach to tackling these challenges is required, and that is the approach that Government is continuing to pursue for Drogheda and the rest of the country.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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968.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work her Department has done to increase cross-Border tourism in 2023; if there is any work underway to market the Newry, Mourne, Gullion, Cooley and Dundalk areas as a tourism destination within Ireland’s ancient east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33368/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.

Tourism Northern Ireland, which is an agency under the aegis of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, is responsible for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland.

There is great opportunity for tourism potential into the future through the further development of cross-border tourism initiatives.

For example, in 2023, €7.6 million was allocated out to 2025 for a new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative, connecting the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in the north-west of the island. This project is being developed and implemented by the three tourism agencies on the island and will build on the international reputations of these two magnificent tourist routes.

North-South engagement and collaboration in the area of tourism has added value to the marketing of the island to potential overseas visitors for both jurisdictions.

My Department and both tourism agencies continue to foster north-south co-operation to enhance an all-island tourism offering and grow international visitor numbers to the entire island.

With regard to marketing the specific areas to which the Deputy refers, Fáilte Ireland will continue to develop, support and promote tourism in all parts of Co. Louth within its Ireland’s Ancient East Experience Brand.