247. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the estimated cost in 2027 if the budget for the Strategic Air Access Fund was doubled. [52654/26]

My Department secured an additional €7.5 million in core funding as part of Tourism Ireland's Budget Allocation for 2026 to support market diversification initiatives, including strategic air access measures aimed at maximising tourism growth to the island of Ireland. This allocation includes €1.25 million specifically for the Strategic Air Access Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to maximise the opportunities arising from new direct air routes to Ireland from both established and emerging markets with inbound tourism potential. Through cooperative marketing initiatives with airline partners, the fund will support demand generation for these routes, helping to ensure strong returns on investment, increased visitor numbers and wider economic benefits across the island of Ireland.

Based on the funding allocated to the Strategic Air Access Fund in Budget 2026, the estimated cost in 2027 would be €2.5 million if the budget for the fund were doubled.