William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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469. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of capital investment allocated in 2025 under the tourism investment grant scheme; the way in which his Department ensures an equitable regional spread of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62207/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government provides that this Government will work with Fáilte Ireland to develop a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, promoting and enhancing the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin.

As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Fáilte Ireland works in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks, investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals.

In 2025, the Government has provided over €33 million to support tourism product development across the country. The continued capital provision for tourism product development is ensuring that Failte Ireland can support the delivery of enhanced amenities through Failte Ireland’s four Regional Tourism Development Strategies.

My Department will shortly launch the new National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This Policy Statement will reflect tourism’s repositioning within the enterprise and economic agenda and will set out a clear strategic direction for the sector over the next five years. It will place a strong emphasis on growing visitor numbers, increasing revenue, and supporting employment and regional development. The policy will prioritise support for SMEs, sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive growth. I am confident that this policy will ensure Ireland’s tourism sector remains resilient, competitive, and a key contributor to our national economy.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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470. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific initiatives under way to upgrade tourism infrastructure to meet sustainability and climate targets, including investment in low-carbon transport links, green accommodation, and waste-reduction infrastructure at major visitor destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62208/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Government’s commitment under the Programme for Government, I will officially launch Ireland’s new National Tourism Policy Statement in early December. Building on the objectives of the 2024 Tourism Policy Framework, the Statement will retain a strong focus on sustainability while responding to the Government’s broader ambition to diversify Ireland’s tourism offering and source markets.

The new policy will reinforce tourism’s role in driving balanced regional development, with a particular focus on developing less mature tourism areas and unlocking the potential of rural and regional Ireland. This includes targeted investment in regional tourism infrastructure, support for regenerative tourism projects, and initiatives to promote Ireland’s diverse tourism regions such as the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way, and Dublin.

As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s continuing role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Fáilte Ireland actively uses the VICE model—Visitor, Industry, Community, Environment—as a foundational framework for sustainable tourism and destination development across Ireland.

Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing tourism businesses today. With rising costs impacting the sector, reducing a business’ carbon emissions is a smart way to save money and enhance its reputation as a sustainable tourism business.

Fáilte Ireland launched its Climate Action Programme in February 2024, providing hands-on-support and investment advice to help tourism businesses become more sustainable. The Programme is delivered by Fáilte Ireland and a team of sustainability advisors who mentor and guide businesses over an initial three-year period. A dedicated advisor partners with each individual business to gather baseline data and develop a tailored action plan to reduce emissions, enhance competitiveness, and improve a business’ overall sustainability credentials.

In line with national targets, the Programme focuses on reducing carbon emissions - which helps to reduce costs - along with broader areas like energy usage, waste management, food waste, water stewardship, renewables, and biodiversity. Currently, 300 businesses are participating in the programme and are at various stages of development.

Fáilte Ireland continues to partner with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to help tourism businesses to drawdown grants and streamline access to supports via participation in the Climate Action Programme. Grants are available for a wide range of technologies, including heat pumps, insulation, solar PV, building upgrades, and technical equipment. Targeted support is also available from the SEAI through its Business Supports which include the Energy Academy, Energy Management Training and Energy Audits.

Under the EU Just Transition Fund, Fáilte Ireland has been tasked with the administration of €68 million of the fund for a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026. Through this scheme Fáilte Ireland will invest in the sustainable development of tourism in the Midlands with the aim of diversifying the regional economy by creating jobs, supporting habitats and biodiversity and sustaining communities.

In 2023 after consulting with over 80 Irish festivals, Sustainable Festivals Guidelines were created and designed to support events at all stages of their sustainability journey. The sustainable festivals guidelines are divided into seven impact areas, each of which incorporate actions towards the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Impact areas are Energy, Travel & Transport, Resources (previously called waste), Food & Beverage, Water, Nature & Biodiversity, and Governance.

With ‘Platforms For Growth 2’ 19 best-in-class water-sports facilities will be built across the country to help extend the outdoor tourism season by providing year-round hot showers, changing rooms, toilets, secure storage, induction spaces, and equipment washdown areas. Accessibility and sustainability will be key focus points for the projects. The first of these facilities opened in August 2025 in County Wexford.

Fáilte Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) continue to collaborate closely on the development, monitoring, and promotion of greenways as part of Ireland’s sustainable tourism and active travel strategy. Fáilte Ireland supports the tourism dimension, ensuring greenways enhance visitor experiences and contribute to local economies mainly through the publication of the Greenways Visitor Experience Interpretation toolkit.