Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an overview of ways in which his Department supports and promotes tourism activity through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9830/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government sets out the Government's commitment to the sustainable growth and development of Ireland’s tourism sector. Through continued support for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, the Government aims to enhance Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality, accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors.

As an island destination, convenient direct and competitive access is critical to our continued tourism growth. Tourism Ireland promotes regional air and sea access to Ireland in overseas tourism markets through initiatives like the Regional Cooperative Access Scheme, which seeks to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions, including with matched funding from airlines, sea carriers, airports, ports and regional tourism stakeholders including Local Authorities.

In each of the last 3 years, the Department allocated €3 million to Tourism Ireland under the Regional Cooperative Access Scheme and has increased this funding in 2025 by a further €1 million to bring the total fund in 2025 to €4 million.

In 2024, Tourism Ireland engaged in 10 co-operative activities with four airline carriers (Aer Lingus, Ryanair, United and Delta) promoting direct flights to Shannon Airport. The campaigns – which ran in the United States, Great Britain, France and Spain – delivered a 46:1 return on investment.

Similar activity is due to be undertaken in 2025.