183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to indicate the steps she continues to take to ensure that tourism is given every opportunity to develop and grow in the future, notwithstanding the future challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45468/24]

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department continues to monitor the tourism sector in order to identify trends with particular reference to targeted assistance to the most needed areas of the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46052/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 199 together.

My Department has now published a new National Tourism Policy Framework for the period to 2030. The Framework mainstreams environmental, economic and societal sustainability across the entire tourism sector and aims to establish Ireland as a leading tourism destination, excelling in sustainable development practices that deliver better economic, social and environmental outcomes for all.  The new Framework has policy objectives in relation to careers in tourism, innovation, product development, regionality, seasonality and the impact of broader Government decisions on the sector.  The Policy Framework will ensure that tourism can grow in a sustainable manner and has a particular focus on growing tourism in less developed tourist areas.

Budget 2025 has maintained the substantial support that the Government has provided over the last number of years to the tourism sector. The once-off allocation in 2024 of current funding is now mainstreamed and will allow the tourism agencies to continue their valuable work in supporting the sector.  The 2025 allocation of €226.3 million for tourism will allow Tourism Ireland to continue its major marketing campaigns overseas and facilitate Fáilte Ireland in continuing its work in areas such as destination development, tourism careers and home holiday promotion.  It will also support both agencies in enhancing the tourist experience and supporting tourism businesses in Ireland in areas such as festivals, digital transformation and sustainability.

Budget 2025 includes a specific allocation of €3.2 million to extend the tourism season and ensure all regions of the country benefit, thus supporting tourism businesses. This includes funding for the delivery of Ireland’s Business Events Strategy; additional funding under the Regional Cooperative Access Scheme to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions; and funding to support both tourism agencies to continue to develop and promote Ireland as the Home of Halloween.

Other tourism initiatives being driven by my Department include the continued progression of an all-island tourism brand collaboration project in the North West region. This €7.6 million project from 2023 to 2025, which is supported by the Government's Shared Island Fund, is being developed and implemented by the three tourism agencies on the island, in consultation with my Department and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. The aim of the project is to bring synergies between these two magnificent touring routes in such a way that the visitor is motivated to explore further, stay longer and spend more thereby bringing greater economic benefit to the region.

Monitoring and understanding trends in the tourism sector is crucial for targeted policy actions and ensuring support reaches areas most in need. Accurate, robust, and representative data is essential to inform decision-making within the Department and to enable transparent performance reporting for the sector.

To provide a comprehensive view of the tourism sector's health, the Department relies on up-to-date statistics that capture employment levels, performance metrics, and visitor behaviour patterns. This information helps inform both government policy and industry actions, allowing for a responsive approach to emerging needs and trends. The Department monitors official statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and complements these with data and performance metrics from the tourism agencies.

These trends are also factored into the agencies’ business planning processes to ensure the best return on public funding. By continuously monitoring these indicators, the Department aims to promote sustainable tourism growth and ensure targeted assistance where it is most needed, in line with evolving sectoral trends.