Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
845. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider establishing a cross-departmental working group to address the regulatory and developmental needs of the agritourism sector, particularly in the context of generational renewal and rural viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62736/25]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has primary responsibility for tourism policy, while Fáilte Ireland, as the National Tourism Development Authority, leads on tourism development supports, including the development of food and experience-based tourism initiatives.
Fáilte Ireland estimates that food and beverage consumption accounts for 35% of all international tourism revenues.
We recognise the strong and growing connections between agriculture, food and tourism. Food Vision 2030, our strategy for the agri-food sector, commits stakeholders to continue to develop links between local food and tourism offerings, including support for business development and marketing initiatives to support and promote food and drink visitor attractions, including the distillery, brewery and food sector.
Food Vision also recognises agri-tourism as an important diversification opportunity for farm families, contributing to generational renewal, wider rural viability and the creation of off-farm income streams. My Department supports this work through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF). In 2025, almost €300,000 in funding has been allocated to 22 agri-food tourism projects nationwide. These projects range from food festivals and farmers markets to food trails, farm-based visitor experiences and local craft and food events. Proposals are invited annually, and projects are evaluated by my Department, with external expertise from Fáilte Ireland.
In addition, there is ongoing collaboration between the agri-food and tourism sectors. Fáilte Ireland continues to enhance the visitor food experience through its Destination and Experience Development Plans, “Taste the Atlantic” in partnership with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), and other programmes including “Digital That Delivers”, designed to power digital transformation for the visitor experiences sector. Tourism Ireland showcases Ireland’s world-class food and drink offering internationally, working closely with Bord Bia on promotional activity. Initiatives such as Good Food Ireland also help connect local producers with visitor experiences across the island.
My Department is open to exploring further opportunities for cooperation to strengthen the agri-tourism sector. We will continue to engage with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the two State Bodies under my remit, Bord Bia and BIM, to ensure that agri-tourism is supported.
