1004. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total value of tourism capital funding allocated to attractions in County Clare during each of the past ten years. [56178/26]

I am informed that tourism capital funding allocated to attractions and tourism development projects in County Clare over the past ten years has been provided through a range of funding streams, including programmes operated by Fáilte Ireland, which operates under the aegis of my Department, as well as wider Government and EU-supported schemes.

At regional and local level, Fáilte Ireland works with local authorities and industry partners to develop, support and promote tourism in line with the relevant tourism experience brands. These provide the strategic framework for product development, visitor experience enhancement and sustainable destination growth.

County Clare has benefited from a substantial range of Fáilte Ireland investment and programme supports across capital development, outdoor activity infrastructure, destination development, festivals, digital capability, marketing and strategic partnerships over the period in question. This funding is closely aligned with the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands regional tourism development strategies, and with Clare’s Destination Experience Development Plans, which place an emphasis on sustainable growth, visitor dispersion, extension of the tourism season and increased local economic impact. Current DEDP’s for County Clare include:

• Burren Visitor Experience Development Plan

• The Cliff Coast Destination Experience Development Plan

• The Lough Derg Experience Development Plan

Key Fáilte Ireland-supported projects and programmes in County Clare over the past ten years include the following:

• Destination Towns Scheme: Fáilte Ireland's Destination Towns scheme is designed to boost the attractiveness and tourism appeal of towns nationwide and was funded under the Government's Project Ireland 2040 Strategy. Fáilte Ireland allocated €500,000 in funding to Clare County Council to develop Ennistymon under this scheme.

• Cliffs of Moher Master Plan: Fáilte Ireland invested €230,000 in the plan which is being delivered by Clare County Council.

• The Burren Discovery Trail: €350,000 investment by Fáilte Ireland in this route encompassing the inner Burren across both Clare & Galway.

• Large Grants Scheme: €200,000: Stage 1 Pass - Development Grant for the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Project.

• Wild Atlantic Way Looped Drives Programme: Investment of €225,000 by Fáilte Ireland.

• Lough Derg Blueway was awarded accreditation by the Blueway Partnership in 2022. The Blueway Partnership is an all-island body comprising Fáilte Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

• Outdoor Dining Scheme: Clare County Council received €549,942 in funding to support tourism and hospitality businesses under Strand A.

A further €198,521 was granted to Clare County Council to develop outdoor dining facilities in Ennis under Strand B.

• Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS): From 2018-2021, Fáilte Ireland co-funded projects across all 26 counties as part of the ORIS in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development. €199,037 was invested in 22 projects in Clare under this scheme.

• Platforms for Growth 2 – Water Sports Facilities: €1.2 million was awarded to Clare under this investment scheme, which will deliver permanent water-sports facilities across the country, including at Ballycuggaran, Killaloe, Co. Clare; which is due to open this year.

• Fáilte Ireland’s Digital that Delivers programme: This digital transformation and training initiative is designed to enhance the online presence and commercial capability of visitor attractions, activity providers and day tours. Since 2021, 34 Clare businesses have received €1,690,184 in grant funding to July 2026, comprising €786,279 in investment grant funding and €903,905 in direct supports, including diagnostics, training and mentoring.

• Regional Festivals Fund, Strategic Festivals Fund and Food Festivals Fund: Funding of €623,250 is being made available to 31 local authorities under the 2026 Regional Festivals Fund, which is implemented by Fáilte Ireland and will support approximately 250 festivals nationally. A further €310,000 is available to local authorities in 2026 to support food festivals and strengthen Ireland’s culinary tourism offering. Clare received €73,000 in 2026 under these festival funding streams.

Overall, the funding profile for County Clare demonstrates sustained investment in signature outdoor assets, heritage experiences, destination towns, digital transformation and festivals. These combined supports strengthen Clare’s position as a flagship Wild Atlantic Way destination, while addressing priorities around sustainable tourism, off-season growth, business capability and enhanced visitor experiences across the county.