Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to details any proposals to develop Gaeltacht tourism. [10194/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Údarás na Gaeltachta has informed me that the organisation is focusing on four main strategic objectives to develop Gaeltacht tourism.

The first strategic objective is to support private and community-based enterprises in developing high-end slow tourism experiences that encourage longer stays and higher spending while preserving authentic cultural and linguistic heritage.

With the second strategic objective, Údarás na Gaeltachta is working with communities to develop engaging all-weather visitor attractions with financial support through strategic partnerships with Fáilte Ireland and other agencies. Údarás na Gaeltachta and Fáilte Ireland have in place a Memorandum of Understanding detailing their commitment to making the Gaeltacht experience appealing, accessible and relevant to visitors. Údarás na Gaeltachta currently has community projects in development or recently opened in Mayo, Cork and Galway with a pipeline of other projects being discussed at present.

The third strategic objective involves the creation of integrated outdoor recreation infrastructure that serves both the local community and tourists while maintaining environmental sustainability. This objective is managed through Údarás na Gaeltachta's employment schemes and community co-operatives.

With the fourth strategic objective, Údarás na Gaeltachta is working with private and community enterprises to position the Gaeltacht regions as premium destinations offering immersive Irish language and cultural experiences.

Údarás na Gaeltachta's medium term plan outlines numerous specific actions to achieve these objectives, including: developing fee-paying attractions on islands and in communities; supporting eco-friendly accommodation development; creating language-immersion experiences like "Seo an Áit" where visitors can be guaranteed interactions in Irish; establishing a Gaeltacht Destination Experience Development Plan with Fáilte Ireland; supporting Dark Skies tourism initiatives; developing language holidays that combine non-academic Irish language learning with diverse experiences; and supporting community-led visitor attractions through funding programs, volunteer initiatives, and tourism officer recruitment.