Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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102. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether tourism funding should be ringfenced by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31069/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It has been a long standing policy objective to ensure that all regions of Ireland benefit from tourism growth. My role and that of my Department 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.

In this regard a new Tourism Policy Framework was published in November. I have asked my officials to consider how commitments in the new Programme for Government (PFG) align with the Policy Framework and to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy which reflects the PFG and other Government priorities. Growing Ireland's tourism industry and showcasing Ireland as a high-quality and accessible destination for both national and international visitors are key priorities for the sector.

With regard to specific expenditure by Fáilte Ireland or Tourism Ireland from its Exchequer funding allocations, such decisions are an operational matter for the agencies.

I have requested that the relevant State Agencies provide this information and I will forward this to the Deputy once received.