Written answers
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Tourism Funding
Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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359. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the next call for tourism projects to apply for The Shared Island Fund 2026 will come; and the way in which local groups hoping to establish cross-Border initiatives should apply for this funding [56932/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach acts as a driver and coordinator of this whole of government initiative.
Shared Island funding was announced in Budget 2021, with initial €500m in capital funding available between 2021-25, ring-fenced for investment in collaborative North/South projects. My Department has taken forward two Tourism projects:
- The Shared Island Brand Collaboration Project with an allocation of €7.6 million which was granted for an all-island tourism initiative in the North West to strengthen the connection between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way. This project is being delivered on a cooperative basis by Tourism Northern Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
- In February this year, an announcement of up to €23million in Government funding from the Department of the Taoiseach, was made in relation to the Shared Destinations programme. Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland will work in partnership with local authorities to develop sustainable tourism amenities across the border region in three projects: Carlingford Lough, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark and Sliabh Beagh. The Shared Island Fund is also resourcing marketing campaigns for each shared destination, including an industry development programme, which will be developed and delivered over 2025-2030, to maximise the economic impact for each region.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund is an initiative to promote practical North-South cooperation and engagement through increased cross-border civic society connections. The Shared Island Civic Society Fund run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a €6 million three-year initiative, promoting practical North-South cooperation and engagement, primarily between grassroots community organisations across a range of sectors and themes, consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement.
Details on how to apply can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/services/shared-island-civic-society-fund/.
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when applicants will learn if they have received funding under the strategic tourism festival investment scheme 2026-2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57095/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Fáilte Ireland has run a new competitive multi-annual “Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme for 2026-2028”.
The scheme aims to support tourism festivals that are unique, place-based events that showcase Irelands culture, heritage and natural beauty.
These festivals will not just attract domestic visitors but international as well. They will boost regional economies, increase local spending and encourage an increase in overnight stays.
As the assessment process is now complete, I understand that Fáilte Ireland expect to be in a position to formally announce the successful applications in the near future.
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