Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
27. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available to communities included in the Wild Atlantic Way initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11994/26]
View answerCommunities along the Wild Atlantic Way play a vital role in sustaining one of Ireland’s most successful tourism initiatives. Supports for these communities are primarily delivered through Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority operating under the aegis of my Department, in partnership with local authorities, community organisations and tourism stakeholders.
Fáilte Ireland’s Regional Tourism Development Strategy for the Wild Atlantic Way provides a 10-year vision and a five-year action plan for development in the region and provides the blueprint for sustainable tourism development in the region ensuring our stakeholders and partners can work together towards a shared vision. It identifies what needs to be done to unlock the commercial potential of the region, while protecting the environment, enhancing the lives of local communities and serving the needs and expectations of our visitors.
Supports have included capital investment funding through schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and small-scale capital grants, which assist in developing and upgrading visitor infrastructure, public amenities, trails and access points that benefit both visitors and local residents.
Fáilte Ireland has established localised Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs) to activate these brands. The DEDPs are 5-year sustainable tourism development plans for a destination, which bring public and private sector organisations together to prioritise tourism development projects and maximise their chance for success. The DEDP’s are highly collaborative in nature, involving all local stakeholders and this is reflected in the agreed action plans where ownership is assigned among the various parties.
Communities and tourism enterprises also receive experience and destination development supports, enabling the delivery of high-quality tourism offerings aligned with the Wild Atlantic Way brand, including outdoor, heritage, cultural and sustainable tourism experiences.
Fáilte Ireland further provides business and skills development supports, including mentoring, training, digital capability development and targeted grants to help tourism enterprises improve quality, resilience and long-term viability. These measures are complemented by ongoing domestic and international marketing, by both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, which continues to promote the Wild Atlantic Way as a worldclass touring route.
In addition, under the Shared Island Fund, an allocation of €7.6 million has been made for an all-island tourism brand collaboration initiative in the North West. The overall aim of this project is to strengthen the connection between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way, enhancing tourism performance across the island of Ireland and further raising its international profile.
The vision of this initiative is to link both routes in a way that encourages visitors to stay longer and spend more, thereby delivering increased economic benefits to communities across the region. A key element of the project is a €1.5 million small grants scheme, which will support the development and enhancement of a range of visitor experiences along the routes.
The project is being developed and implemented collaboratively by the three tourism agencies on the island, reflecting a partnership approach to shared regional development. Local authorities also play a central role in delivering Wild Atlantic Way projects at community level, working closely with voluntary and local stakeholders.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have recently deepened their collaboration through a new strategic partnership which has committed €3 million to two significant island projects on Árainn and Oileán Chléire.
Fáilte Ireland has also partnered with Local Authorities across the Wild Atlantic Way to deliver shared watersports facilities at coastal sites, ensuring that essential services and high-quality visitor infrastructure are available at key locations.
Further partnership investments with the Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have also enhanced the visitor experience at iconic sites such as the Céide Fields, Ballycroy National Park, the Blasket Centre and others, strengthening the cultural and natural heritage offering available to both communities and visitors.
Tourism businesses in the Wild Atlantic Way region have also benefitted from Fáilte Ireland’s “Digital that Delivers” programme, which supports digital transformation across visitor attractions and activity providers. To date, c. 287 tourism businesses across the Wild Atlantic Way have received support to the value of €15.36 million.
The Government remains committed to ensuring tourism growth along the Wild Atlantic Way is sustainable and delivers balanced economic benefits while protecting the natural and cultural assets on which communities depend.
