Written Answers Nos. 147-165
147. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of IDA Ireland lands in Mell, Drogheda, County Louth; the actions being taken by his Department and the IDA to unblock, service and activate these lands to enable further industrial and employment-generating investment in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30452/26]
View answerBalanced regional development is a key focus of the work of my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland is continuing its strong commitment to promoting FDI in regional locations as part of its 2025–29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, and is targeting 550, or 55%, of FDI projects outside Dublin over the strategy's lifetime. Furthermore, the IDA is positioning the Mid-East Region, including Co. Louth, as a competitive destination for global investment, targeting 55 of these 550 investments to the Mid-East.
The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and can be a key differentiator in investment decisions from both new and existing clients, as well as clients of Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs. IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
To this end, IDA Ireland holds a c. 19-hectare landbank at Mell North and a c. 17.9-hectare landbank at Mell South in Drogheda, Co. Louth. These landbanks form part of IDA Ireland’s long-term strategic plans to position Drogheda and the wider Mid-East region to support future investment from FDI and indigenous client companies of Enterprise Ireland.
IDA Ireland is actively progressing services and infrastructure enhancement works on its landholding at Mell North to ensure the site can be marketed to support investment opportunities. IDA Ireland has also obtained planning approval for an Advance Building Solution on IDA Ireland’s Mell North lands, aligned to the current Regional Property Programme under the Adapt Intelligently Strategy 2025–2029.
IDA Ireland has also recently submitted a planning application on its Mell South landbank for enabling infrastructure and utility requirements to also ready this landbank for potential investment opportunities.
IDA Ireland’s 2025–2029 strategy also commits to progressing an Advanced Building Solution in Drogheda and partnering with Meath County Council for the delivery of an advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Navan to advance the location from an attractiveness perspective.
IDA Ireland continues to engage with the Local Authority and other relevant stakeholders to support the phased servicing and enablement of the sites, and additionally collaborates with private sector property developers and Local Authorities to market other property solutions across all regions to ensure the requisite solutions are in place to support future investment.
The Mid-East region continues to perform strongly in terms of FDI, with 126 IDA Ireland-supported multinational companies directly employing 20,284 people, and employment amongst IDA Ireland client companies increasing by 5% over the past five years.
I acknowledge recent challenges, including employment losses in the region in 2025 reflecting sectoral and client-specific developments. Notwithstanding this, IDA Ireland continues to supports sustainable growth across its client base through a focus on transformative investments in RD&I, digitalisation, training, and sustainability, aimed at enhancing competitiveness and productivity within Irish operations and their workforce.
Of course, my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies also support Irish-based enterprise development in County Louth and the Mid-East, including through Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs and our Tourism investment supports. There are over 10,000 people employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the Mid-East, including Co. Louth.
148. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has any plans to introduce a new Power Up scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30033/26]
View answerThe Increased Cost of Business grant and the Power Up grant schemes are now closed having paid out over €400 million to businesses across the country.
There are no plans to introduce a new Power Up scheme. However, in terms of broader Government supports for businesses, the National Enterprise Hub online portal provides all business owners with a centralised signposting service of over 250 Government supports from 30 Departments and Agencies. The Hub has a team of expertly trained advisors who can help to diagnose the needs of your business and direct you to the appropriate available supports or indeed put you in direct contact with the relevant agency. The Hub team can be contacted through the website (www.neh.gov.ie) via live chat or by phone on 01 727 2100.
149. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will report on the Enterprise Ireland initiative to financially back new flour mills in Ireland; the criteria to qualify for support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30521/26]
View answerIn February, I launched a scheme to support the establishment of new industrial-scale flour mills in Ireland. The scheme, which is being administered by Enterprise Ireland, aims to rebuild national milling capacity and improve the resilience of the Irish bakery and food supply chain. Delivery of the scheme will support the objectives of Food Vision 2030, the Government’s strategy for the production of safe and sustainable food in Ireland.
The establishment of a commercial scale flour mill or mills in Ireland would have a number of key benefits including strengthening security of food supply and improved competitiveness and sustainability in the bakery sector. Development of the scheme was informed by close consultation with industry stakeholders.
Enterprise Ireland is engaging directly with companies considering new or expanded milling investments of scale and will assesses proposals received in line with EU State aid rules.
Proposed projects will need to demonstrate the ability to produce between 60,000-80,000 tonnes of high-quality, wheat flour annually. Projects must also demonstrate that they can strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of Ireland’s bakery and food supply chain. Supported projects will be expected to involve modern and efficient milling infrastructure.
Separately to the new scheme, small or artisanal mills with an export focus, and who are eligible to be clients of Enterprise Ireland, can also be considered for funding under Enterprise Ireland’s existing supports.
150. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is giving consideration to the introduction of a hotel bedroom charge, to be levied by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/26]
View answer170. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has assessed the potential revenue from a hotel bedroom charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30519/26]
View answer177. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage have considered the introduction of a visitor accommodation levy/hotel bed tax or similar levies for the Dublin area for the generation of additional revenue to support our growing tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26487/26]
View answer190. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is giving consideration to a change to the tax code to allow local authorities to levy a hotel bedroom tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28777/26]
View answer203. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage have considered the introduction of a visitor accommodation levy, hotel bed tax or similar levies, nationally for the generation of additional revenue to support the growing tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26486/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 170, 177, 190 and 203 together.
The introduction of a visitor accommodation levy was proposed in Capital City, the report of the Dublin City Taskforce published in October 2024, specifically for Dublin City, as part of the funding mechanism to support the implementation of actions in the Report.
The Programme for Government commits to implementing the Dublin City Taskforce recommendations and to apply the taskforce model to other cities, towns and regions in need of revitalisation.
The Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on the Dublin City Taskforce Report which is led by the Department of the Taoiseach published its report and accompanying roadmap in June 2025 and these provide a course of action to implement the Taskforce’s recommendations.
The introduction of a levy needs careful consideration, given the importance of inbound international tourism to Ireland's economy, regionally and nationally. Any visitor accommodation levy would have to take account of many issues, including who will be liable to pay it; for example, whether its application would be limited to international visitors or extended to all visitors, including domestic visitors and how the levy would be collected. The geographic scope, business sustainability and revenue potential of such a measure are also issues for consideration.
Last year, research commissioned by Fáilte Ireland on existing tourist levies/taxes on tourist accommodation within Europe and the United Kingdom, revealed a variety of approaches taken in implementing such charges, with the most predominant model being the per person per night model. Revenues are used for a variety of purposes including dedicated tourism development funding, improvements to infrastructure and services, environment protection and general funding for local government.
The calculation of the charge varies across the systems examined under the research, with different approaches common for per-room/per-person systems, and percentage-based systems. The sample destinations examined in the research found that when expressed in terms of euro per bednight, the scale of tourist tax raised ranges widely from €0.20 to +€15 per bednight. Exact figures on the revenue raised from these charges in the research sample cities is sparse, but the research cited media reports along with local and national Government communications to suggest indicative 2023 revenue of €33m for Prague, €133m for Paris, €165m for Amsterdam and 2024 revenue of €115m for Barcelona and €180m for Rome.
The study also found that tourist levies/taxes are localised, with implementation and operation reflecting structures and the desire of authorities, locally or nationally as appropriate, to shape the charge to reflect their own communities and preferences.
An Oversight Board led by the Department of the Taoiseach, with broad representation from across Government, including the Local Authority, Dublin City Council and agencies such as Fáilte Ireland was established to oversee implementation of the roadmap and associated actions. The Board established a financing subgroup to consider, and report back on, a number of funding mechanisms, including a visitor accommodation levy, to support the implementation of the actions arising from the Dublin City Taskforce Report. I understand that both the Oversight Board and the financing subgroup have met on a number of occasions throughout 2025 and in to 2026.
To date, a proposal for an accommodation levy has not been finalised or agreed. If such a proposal is agreed, it will be presented to Government for consideration and if approved by Government, actions including a stakeholder engagement campaign would be required in advance of any implementation.
151. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the progress of the Strategic Air Access Fund and new tourism initiatives in the UAE and Indian markets to support the "A New Era for Irish Tourism" strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/26]
View answer180. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific targets that have been set for the new direct flight routes, such as the Dublin-Shanghai route announced in April 2026, to assist with diversifying tourism markets and increasing high-value visitors from Asia and the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30507/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 180 together.
In December 2025, my Department published the new National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This policy sets out a clear, long-term vision for the development of the tourism sector through to 2031 and represents a significant milestone for the industry. It firmly aligns tourism policy with Ireland’s wider enterprise, trade and employment objectives, while placing a strong emphasis on sustainable, inclusive growth across all regions of the country.
Tourism is a vital part of Ireland’s economy with overseas visitors contributing approximately €6 billion annually to the island, and the sector supports close to 10% of total employment. Crucially, around six in every ten tourism jobs depend directly on international visitors. Funding allocated to Tourism Ireland in Budget 2026 is supporting the organisation to expand strategic source markets and focus on attracting “value-adding visitors” whose spending delivers tangible benefits to tourism enterprises and local communities across the country.
Tourism Ireland continues to take a forward-looking and strategic approach to market development, supported by a wide range of promotional activity planned throughout the year. Central to this work is a strong focus on resilience and diversification. In this context, the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification, launched in August 2025, sets out a series of targeted initiatives to identify and cultivate new opportunities both within mainland Europe and globally. This approach is designed to ensure that Irish tourism businesses remain competitive, adaptable and future-ready in an increasingly dynamic international environment.
As part of this strategy, €1.25 million has been secured for 2026 under the Strategic Air Access Fund. Tourism Ireland has worked closely with Irish airports to develop a Routes Opportunity List that identifies priority opportunities for new and expanded air services.
Through the Strategic Air Access Fund, Tourism Ireland is actively supporting efforts to maximise the opportunities presented by the new China Eastern Airlines service from Shanghai to Dublin, which is due to commence this summer. This will be the first direct air service linking Shanghai and Dublin and represents a significant milestone in improving access from the Chinese market. Convenient, competitive and direct access to the island of Ireland is essential both for the development of overseas tourism and for the broader national economy.
In support of these objectives, Tourism Ireland, together with Dublin Airport, attended Routes Asia 2026 in Xi’an earlier this month to jointly promote Ireland as a world-class tourism and business destination. Connecting the island of Ireland to global markets is central to the future growth of overseas tourism. Participation in Routes Asia provided a key platform to present airlines with a coherent and compelling aviation and destination proposition, combining air access opportunities with market demand and destination appeal. By working collaboratively, Tourism Ireland and Dublin Airport were able to bring demand-led, evidence-based discussions to the forum, supported by Ireland’s strong tourism performance, resilient economy and shared ambition to deliver long-term connectivity growth.
Tourism Ireland’s Global Partnerships team has put in place market representation in the UAE and India to adopt an agile and responsive approach to partnership development. Tourism Ireland will also strengthen its presence at its Asia Hub in Shanghai to support deeper engagement with high-value visitors from China and the wider Asian region. This ensures that all viable commercial opportunities for growth are fully realised. By working hand-in-hand with industry partners and offering a range of innovative and well-established partnership programmes, Tourism Ireland creates opportunities to showcase Ireland’s distinctive tourism offering to international audiences.
Through focused marketing activity and strategic partnerships, Tourism Ireland will continue to inspire visitors, support industry partners, and deliver sustainable overseas tourism growth that benefits businesses and communities across the island.
152. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports being provided to attract employment to rural towns in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29607/26]
View answerMy Department is working with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs to attract employment to rural counties such as Mayo.
Enterprise Ireland supports such employment growth through its regionally balanced enterprise development model, working with Irish-owned companies to start, compete, scale and connect from locations throughout the county. In Mayo, 93 Enterprise Ireland-supported companies employed 6,543 people in 2025, representing a net employment increase of 132 jobs (+2.1%) over the year, demonstrating sustained job creation in a predominantly rural county.
This regional impact is underpinned by targeted financial and capability supports, with Enterprise Ireland payments to companies in Mayo increasing from €2.34 million in 2024 to €2.94 million in 2025, reflecting continued investment in job-sustaining and job-creating enterprises.
Enterprise Ireland’s approach also focuses on building a pipeline of future employment through entrepreneurship and regional collaboration. While the New Frontiers programme in the West region supported 66 participants at Phases 1 and 13 start-ups at Phase 2, providing early-stage founders with funding, mentoring and workspace to develop scalable businesses in rural locations.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work in partnership with Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices and the West Regional Enterprise Plan, supporting enterprise infrastructure, innovation and competitiveness to ensure that employment growth in Mayo and the wider West region is sustainable and regionally dispersed.
In addition, the Local Enterprise Office in Mayo offers a range of complementary supports to entrepreneurs and budding entrepreneurs. The supports range from providing an initial "First Stop Shop" service where individuals can receive advice on the steps involved in setting up a business, to the provision of grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of a range of soft supports such as training and mentoring.
The range of supports offered are designed to assist businesses to grow stronger and increase employment by being able to provide targeted and appropriate assistance at each stage of their development.
IDA Ireland has 133 client companies in the West Region (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) employing 32,562 people. There are 16 IDA client companies in County Mayo employing 5,507 jobs. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 16%. The West has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Engineering, International Financial Services, Content, Consumer & Business Services, and Technology.
Maximising the contribution of FDI nationally has and continues to be a key focus of IDA Ireland in seeking to spread the benefits of FDI across Ireland including Mayo and the West region.
Under its current strategy ‘Adapt Intelligently 2025-29,’ launched in February 2025, IDA Ireland is targeting 1,000 client investments, with 550 (55%) in regional locations outside Dublin. In the West Region, IDA will target 100 investments from 2025-2029. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting transformation and growth across all regions.
Under the strategy, IDA Ireland will continue to market the West Region through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities. IDA Ireland will target the Life Sciences, Engineering, International Financial Services, Content, Consumer & Business Services, and Technology sectors for investment opportunities across areas including RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services, and technology development.
IDA’s regional focus provides the best opportunities to showcase locations to win investments by overseas companies based on their requirements and in doing so results in employment opportunities across a wide catchment.
IDA has a regional development team located in the region actively engaged with a range of stakeholders and clients including those in Mayo, to strengthen the foreign direct investment proposition of Mayo and to support the delivery of sustainable, high-quality employment across the county. In addition, IDA has a national dedicated IDA strategic property team focused on enhancing the property assets across all regions, including the West Region.
IDA will continue to focus on supporting their client companies in Mayo and across the West region to deliver continue economic impact and continues to support the winning of additional investments to sustain existing employment and secure new employment opportunities.
154. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is taking any action to build up the number of medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30501/26]
View answerEnterprise Ireland plays a central role in supporting medium-sized Irish enterprises to strengthen their competitiveness, grow employment and expand internationally. As outlined in its Strategy 2025–2029, Enterprise Ireland works with companies that have moved beyond early-stage growth and now require structured support to improve productivity, resilience and leadership capability. For medium-sized firms, this typically includes access to development advisors, funding for capital investment and innovation, and targeted programmes to enhance operational efficiency, digitalisation and sustainability, all aimed at helping firms compete effectively in increasingly complex global markets.
A key focus for medium-sized enterprises is scaling and international growth. Enterprise Ireland provides practical assistance to help these companies enter new export markets, diversify their customer base and deepen their international footprint. This support includes market intelligence, introductions through Enterprise Ireland’s global office network, assistance with overseas contracts and tailored scaling supports and strategic consultancy assignments. The organisation’s End of Year Statement shows that this approach delivers tangible results, with Enterprise Ireland-backed companies employing over 232,000 people in 2025 and securing more than 1,000 new overseas contracts, underlining the impact of this export-led growth model.
Enterprise Ireland also supports medium-sized enterprises to future-proof their businesses by embracing innovation, skills development and sustainability. Through grants and programmes focused on R&D, leadership development, AI adoption and decarbonisation, companies are encouraged to invest for long-term growth while aligning with national productivity and climate targets. The strategy places strong emphasis on helping existing SMEs transition into larger, world-leading Irish companies, with a goal of significantly increasing the number of Irish exporters employing over 250 people by 2029, ensuring medium-sized firms remain a vital driver of balanced regional and national economic growth.
155. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his assessment of the impact on the tourism sector arising from the war in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30493/26]
View answer198. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if events in the Middle East and their impact on the global economy will result in any changes to the outlook for tourism in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30443/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 198 together.
The Government recognises that geopolitical instability, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, can have implications for international travel and tourism. Tourism is a vital component of Ireland’s economy, with overseas visitors contributing approximately €6 billion annually to the island. The sector supports close to 10% of total employment, and critically, around six in every ten tourism jobs depend directly on international visitors.
The current conflict has altered the operating environment for air travel, underlining the importance of continued vigilance and a flexible, responsive approach to the tourism sector as the year progresses. While it remains difficult to predict how the situation will evolve, the potential impacts are becoming clearer. Notwithstanding these challenges, the tourism sector entered the year with positive momentum. There were consecutive months of growth in overseas visitors from August through to February, the most recent period for which Central Statistics Office data is available. Year to date in 2026, we have seen double digit visitor spend growth coming in from North America, Mainland Europe and Great Britain. This performance indicates that the sector was on a strong footing prior to the escalation of geopolitical tensions.
The tourism sector continues to plan with resilience and diversification at its core. The United States remains Ireland’s highest-spending overseas visitor market, while Great Britain continues to provide the highest volume of visitors. Alongside maintaining these critical markets, Tourism Ireland is increasing its focus on Mainland Europe and investing in the development of growth markets such as Canada, while also laying the groundwork for long-term recovery in other emerging markets. Diversifying source markets enhances flexibility and helps protect the sector from external shocks.
In addition, Tourism Ireland is providing direct support to tourism businesses by facilitating tens of thousands of commercial engagements with overseas travel trade partners, generating substantial pipelines of future business for Irish tourism enterprises.
Tourism Ireland continues to market the island intensively overseas, targeting consumers with both the intent and the means to travel. Its current programme includes major global campaigns such as Ireland Goes Beyond, which highlights distinctive and immersive visitor experiences, and Ireland Unrushed, which promotes slow tourism and regional exploration. These campaigns are supported through advertising, digital and social media, international broadcasting, public relations, and close collaboration with air and sea carriers, including cooperative marketing that delivers strong returns on investment and supports strategic routes.
Fáilte Ireland has taken a proactive, collaborative approach to supporting the tourism sector. It is engaging regularly with sectoral representative bodies and industry leaders ensuring that emerging cost pressures and operational challenges are identified early and directly inform policy and programme design.
This engagement has shaped a targeted programme of business supports to help tourism businesses take immediate, practical action to reduce costs, improve efficiency and protect margins in a challenging trading environment.
The conflict in the Middle East presents real and evolving challenges for global tourism, Ireland’s tourism agencies are responding proactively through market diversification, strengthened supports, and targeted, high-impact marketing. The Government will continue to monitor developments closely and to support the sector in maintaining resilience and competitiveness in an uncertain global environment.
156. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the sectors being prioritised in the forthcoming sectoral strategy for enterprise adoption of AI; the criteria used to identify them; the expected timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30433/26]
View answerThe Government has a clear ambition to drive increased enterprise adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in response to the rapid evolution of AI technologies, their applications and their growing economic impact.
AI is transforming industries at different speeds. As a result, enterprises across different sectors of the economy are experiencing varying levels of readiness, opportunity and challenge when it comes to deploying these technologies.
In that context, the development of a Sectoral Strategy for Enterprise Adoption of AI was included as a deliverable under Ireland’s recently published National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future.
My Department has initiated work on this sectoral strategy, which is intended to take a targeted and evidence-based approach to accelerating AI adoption across sectors of our enterprise base. It is envisaged that this strategy will represent the first phase of a broader programme of work to support AI adoption across the economy.
At this early stage, work has commenced to consider how AI may be relevant to enterprises across a number of sectors of the economy, and what role, if any, further policy focus, coordination and support might play in driving increased AI adoption.
The first tranche of sectors being focused upon are:
• Manufacturing;
• ICT Services;
• Tourism; and
• Construction.
Together, these sectors represent a substantial share of Ireland’s enterprise base and employment across micro, SME and large companies.
This approach will focus resources towards building evidence and insights quickly which can be leveraged in further work on sectors.
While the strategy development process is still at an early stage, it will be informed by a programme of research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement. This will ensure that it reflects the real specific needs, capabilities and barriers faced by sectors.
The strategy will also set out clear objectives and targets for AI adoption over time and will provide a detailed roadmap for delivery. This will help guide Government, stakeholders, and industry in driving meaningful progress and ensuring that Ireland remains competitive and innovative in the global AI landscape.
The current timeline for publication of the strategy is Q4 2026.
I believe this phased and evidence-led approach will allow us to build a robust and effective strategy for our sectors that supports innovation and competitiveness while remaining grounded in the practical realities faced by enterprise.
157. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on Fáilte Ireland's plans to develop a destination and experience development plan specifically for north Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29605/26]
View answerAt the outset, I should clarify that regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, in collaboration with Local Authorities and other tourism stakeholders. Cork is represented by three regional tourism brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The Wild Atlantic Way follows the West Cork Coastline from Kinsale. The Wild Atlantic Region encompasses the west and?north?of the County.?Cork?City and East?Cork?(east of the M8) are represented by Ireland’s Ancient East and the Ballyhoura local development area sits in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
I am advised that 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.
Fáilte Ireland has commenced the development of a new Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for North Cork. This initiative aims to enhance the region's appeal to both domestic and international visitors, ensuring sustainable growth and development in our tourism sector and will outline strategic initiatives to boost tourism, improve visitor experiences, and promote the unique attractions of North Cork.
The project is currently in the discovery phase, which includes a high-level product audit of the area and the definition of the appropriate geographic scope for the Plan.
As part of this early work, Fáilte Ireland has shared the draft product audit and proposed geographic mapping with Cork County Council to ensure the DEDP area is accurately defined and that no key tourism assets are omitted. Engagement with Cork County Council is ongoing, and a meeting is planned in the coming weeks to discuss the findings and agree next steps.
Subject to the completion of the discovery phase, the next stages of the process will include the establishment of a local working group to support the development of the DEDP.
In line with this significant project, Fáilte Ireland will continue to develop and refine itineraries that showcase the best of what North Cork has to offer. These itineraries will highlight the diverse experiences available to visitors, from cultural and historical sites to outdoor adventures and local culinary delights. Fáilte Ireland believe this plan will be instrumental in positioning North Cork as a tourism destination and look forward to working closely with community and industry stakeholders to make this vision a reality.
158. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has had, or if he is planning to have, discussions with the Minister for Health regarding the planned industrial action by workers in the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/26]
View answerIt has been the consistent policy of successive Irish governments to promote collective bargaining through the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations, premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is no constitutional or legal impediment which prevents parties who wish to exercise their right to collectively bargain from freely doing so in Ireland.
There is an extensive range of supports designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process and to address issues in employment where difficulties arise. This includes free and accessible services provided by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court.
As you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me, in my role as Minister, to intervene in individual employment disputes.
159. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned any studies on the use of artificial intelligence by the general public, including trends in adoption across different age groups and sectors, such as tourism; the insights gathered on the way in which AI is shaping consumer behaviour and service delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30523/26]
View answerMy Department has undertaken a range of analysis in relation to the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the Irish economy and labour market, including through a series of research papers examining the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption. This work has primarily focused on enterprise, productivity and labour market impacts, rather than on patterns of AI use among the general public across age groups or specific sectors such as tourism.
As part of a joint research programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), a recent paper examined the factors influencing the adoption of AI among Irish micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This research found that knowledge-related barriers are a key determinant of differences in AI adoption rates across firms, while factors such as access to finance, security concerns and skills shortages influence firms’ future investment intentions. The findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of the benefits of AI, alongside ensuring a stable regulatory and security environment, in supporting wider uptake.
In addition, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, my Department has published research on “How AI is transforming the Irish Labour Market”, which points to the rapid pace of AI adoption in Ireland, including a doubling of AI-related jobs and usage since 2023. Ireland performs strongly in both demand for AI skills and the supply of AI talent. Further research is underway, including the forthcoming “Skills for Digital Specialists 2030” report and a new “Working in Ireland Survey”, which will provide additional insights into AI and labour market developments.
While my Department has not commissioned specific studies focused on AI adoption by the general public, ongoing engagement with enterprise agencies, stakeholders and the research community continues to inform our understanding of how AI is shaping business models, consumer expectations and service delivery across the economy, including in service sectors such as tourism, hospitality and retail.
The Government’s broader approach is set out in the National Digital and AI Strategy, “Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future”, which provides a clear roadmap for strengthening Ireland’s position as a digital leader and advancing the responsible adoption of AI across the economy and society. This includes measures to accelerate enterprise adoption, enhance skills and workforce readiness, and establish new data and evidence capabilities, such as a National Skills Observatory and an Observatory for Business AI Readiness.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in AI adoption and their implications for enterprises, workers and consumers, and will ensure that policy responses remain evidence-based and responsive to this rapidly evolving area.
160. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the Action Plan on Market Diversification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30499/26]
View answerMy Department, alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, published the First Progress Report on the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification on March 4th 2026. This marked the six month of coordinated delivery across government to strengthen Ireland’s economic resilience and expand opportunities for Irish businesses in global markets.
The action plan, published in September 2025, set out more than 100 actions across government to strengthen Ireland’s economic resilience, reduce over-dependence on individual markets, and open new opportunities for Irish exporters, tourism, and investment. The Action Plan is a central element of the government's response to the changing geo-economic environment.
The First Progress Report of the Action Plan for Market Diversification highlights the strong and sustained emphasis on delivery across government departments and agencies, with the vast majority of actions underway across all four strategic objectives. It reflects a coordinated effort to support Irish SMEs and ensure we de-risk our markets, providing pathways for new trade and opportunities while cementing and consolidating our existing successful partnerships.
This report marks an important milestone. It demonstrates substantial progress and provides a strong foundation for the next phase of delivery.
161. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding any work ongoing within his Department to help support small businesses in the face of increased fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29988/26]
View answer175. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the impact of fuel price increases on small rural machinery contractor enterprises. [30528/26]
View answer178. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on whether small and medium-sized businesses are being hit hardest by rising fuel costs, particularly those in energy-intensive sectors such as retail and hospitality; the assistance he is providing in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/26]
View answer189. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans he has in place to help businesses cope with the cost impact of the US-Iran war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 175, 178 and 189 together.
Government recognise that the cost of doing business has been a significant issue for firms in recent years, driven by wider global inflationary pressures, particularly energy costs. My Department is closely monitoring developments in energy markets and proactively evaluating the implications for businesses, including through ongoing engagement with the enterprise agencies.
The impact of rising fuel costs will vary significantly across sectors of the economy, reflecting differences in energy intensity, transport reliance, and input structures. First-round impacts are most acute in transport and agri-food, where exposure to diesel, fuel, fertiliser, and logistics costs is highest. These sectors face immediate cost pressures. Secondary impacts are evident in construction, manufacturing, and hospitality, where energy inputs, materials, and transport costs are important drivers. Pressures here are material but more diffuse and may build over time. High-tech and pharmaceutical sectors are less exposed in the near term, with impacts largely indirect – arising through supply chains, packaging, and energy inputs rather than direct fuel dependence.
The Government is conscious of the pressures this volatility is placing on businesses, particularly SMEs. Over March and April, the Government introduced a substantial package of fuel supports, including measures such as reductions in fuel duties and targeted supports for sectors like transport, agriculture and fisheries, aimed at easing cost pressures and mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices on the wider economy. In addition to the NORA levy reduction, these measures include (VAT inclusive) excise changes, that bring total reductions:
• To 32 cent on diesel (VAT inclusive);
• To 27 cent on petrol (VAT inclusive);
• To 7.4 cent on green diesel.
In addition, Government is deferring the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for May 1st, until the Budget. This will impact green diesel and non-propellant fuels such as kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels.
Apart from excise, additional measures include:
• An increase in the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme, from 7.5 cent up to 12 cent per litre of diesel;
• An extension of the fuel allowance season by an additional four weeks;
• Establishment of a new Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS), to support the haulage and coach sector; and,
• A comprehensive €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
This demonstrates a responsive and targeted policy approach to addressing acute cost pressures while supporting broader economic stability. We also recognise the importance of reducing Ireland's exposure to such shocks. This underlines the need to accelerate the transition towards greater energy independence. Significant investment is being made in renewable energy, electricity grid infrastructure, and energy efficiency, with reducing reliance on fossil fuels central to improving resilience against current and future energy price shocks.
My Department provides a broad suite of supports to help businesses lower energy consumption, improve operational efficiency and reduce cost exposure. A communications strategy will be launched shortly to increase awareness, uptake and impact of business energy supports by reframing messaging, simplifying access pathways and using trusted, real world examples to demonstrate value.
The SEAI administers a suite of supports aimed at reducing energy demand and costs. Through the “Easy Wins” campaign, businesses are encouraged to adopt practical, low-cost measures with rapid payback, including energy management training and energy audits. Financial supports are available through Rapid Approval Grants, such as the Business Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant, as well as Tailored Support Grants including the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, the Community Energy Grant, and supports for energy-efficient design.
In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme provides long-term, low-cost financing to SMEs and small mid-caps, including those in agriculture and related sectors, with loans ranging from €25,000 to €3 million over terms of up to 10 years, including unsecured lending of up to €500,000. Work is underway on a possible expansion of this scheme.
Government has also allocated €300 million in Environmental Aid to support decarbonisation among large industrial firms supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. As of January 2026, 41 projects with a combined value of €154 million have been approved across sectors such as manufacturing, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, supporting reductions in energy use and enhancing competitiveness.
In addition, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum was established to bring together stakeholders across sectors to identify cost pressures and consider practical measures to address them. The Forum’s report is expected in the coming months.
In responding to the current challenges, my Department will continue to act proactively and in close coordination with key stakeholders to support enterprise competitiveness and resilience.
162. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is aware of the suggested introduction of a tourism levy or ‘bed tax’ in Galway; if any national assessment has been carried out on whether such a model would be sustainable; his views on the way in which increased tourism footfall in Galway can be supported through enhanced funding for local tourism services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30505/26]
View answerThe introduction of a visitor accommodation levy was proposed in Capital City, the report of the Dublin City Taskforce published in October 2024, specifically for Dublin City, as part of the funding mechanism to support the implementation of actions in the Report.
The Programme for Government commits to implementing the Dublin City Taskforce recommendations and to apply the taskforce model to other cities, towns and regions in need of revitalisation.
The introduction of a levy needs careful consideration, given the importance of inbound international tourism to Ireland's economy, regionally and nationally. Any visitor accommodation levy would have to take account of many issues, including who will be liable to pay it; for example, whether its application would be limited to international visitors or extended to all visitors, including domestic visitors and how the levy would be collected.
The sustainability, geographic scope and revenue potential of such a measure are also issues for consideration and to date, a proposal for an accommodation levy in Dublin or other locations in Ireland has not been finalised or agreed. If such a proposal is agreed, it will be presented to Government for consideration and if approved by Government, actions including a stakeholder engagement campaign would be required in advance of any implementation.
With regard to tourism footfall in Galway, Fáilte Ireland, in collaboration with the Local Authorities and other tourism stakeholders are actively engaged in on-going tourism promotion. County Galway is included in the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategies 2023–2027 with Galway City and the west coastline part of the Wild Atlantic Way, while East Galway is firmly positioned within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand.
The Galway City Destination Experience Development Plan(DEDP) launched in October 2025 and the implementation group, ‘Galway City Tourism Forum’, is leading the implementation of the actions outlined in the plan. The East Galway DEDP also commenced last year, with the first working group meeting held in November. The development process will continue throughout 2026, and it is anticipated that a draft plan will be completed later in the year.
Fáilte Ireland is also working closely with Galway County Council and local tourism businesses to develop a more connected network of visitor experiences in East Galway. A tourism highlights map is currently in development and is scheduled to be launched ahead of the 2026 holiday season. Fáilte Ireland is supporting tourism development in East Galway through initiatives such as the East Galway Tourism Networking Event. The first of these events was held in 2025, with 40 local tourism businesses in attendance. Delivered in partnership with Galway County Council, the event provided an important platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and networking across the region and building on its success, plans are in place to host a further networking event later this year. In addition, Fáilte Ireland with Costa Gaelach Connamara last month co-hosted a special networking event for the tourism industry at the Wildlands centre in Moycullen, and it was attended by over 120 tourism businesses.
As part of an ongoing commitment to festival development nationwide, I recently confirmed €623,250 in funding to 31 local authorities under the 2026 Regional Festivals Fund (www.failteireland.ie/Utility/News-Library/Minister-for-Enterprise,-Tourism-and-Employment-Pe.aspx) which will support approximately 250 festivals across the country including in County Galway. That announcement also included the introduction of a new, dedicated 2026 Food Festival Fund, with funding of €310,000, designed to strengthen food festivals and support Ireland’s evolving culinary tourism offering.
Galway City is one of seven destinations taking part in the Fáilte Ireland Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme. This pilot initiative, launched last year, is a key action under the Ireland, Home of Halloween strategy and aims to position Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween. Each destination will receive up to €100,000 annually over a three-year period to develop immersive Halloween-themed festivals rooted in local heritage, folklore, and community spirit. Over the course of the three years, the seven supported projects are projected to attract approximately 337,000 additional visitors, generating an estimated €28 million in economic impact for local communities in the off-peak season.
Finally, Fáilte Ireland’s new domestic campaign, Find Yourself on a Short Break, designed to increase demand for short breaks in Ireland and support more balanced, year-round tourism was launched last month. The campaign will be delivered throughout the year, highlighting the range of experiences around the country, including in Galway, that support the restorative power of a short break.
163. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which he is helping businesses to scale-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/26]
View answerSupporting the growth and scaling of Irish enterprises is a key priority for my Department and its agencies.
By establishing national enterprise policy with a clear focus on competitiveness, productivity and sustainability, this Government’s aim is to ensure that the needs and capacity of small and medium businesses are fully reflected in policy and regulation.
Enterprise Ireland plays a crucial role in helping start-ups scale into successful businesses by providing a comprehensive range of supports and resources. They offer tailored funding options, including grants and equity investments, to help start-ups develop their products, build teams, and expand production capabilities. These grants can cover a wide range of needs, from research and development to market expansion and sustainability initiatives.
When Ireland’s high potential start-ups seek to scale-up and become global players, that transition can prove challenging. In particular, Irish firms that are looking to scale often find that appropriate finance is not readily available.
In July 2025, my Department published the Report ‘Market Demand for and Supply of Scaling Finance in Ireland’, which identified a €1.1 billion funding gap for deals starting from €3 million and Series A+ rounds over the next 3–5 years. To address these and broader challenges, my department is working to develop policy actions that will enhance the finance for scaling ecosystem in Ireland and help narrow the funding gap for scale-ups. This work is aligned with commitments outlined in the Programme for Government and supports specific actions set out in the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
I will continue to work with my Department and the enterprise agencies to ensure that policies and supports remain aligned to the needs of scaling firms.
164. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he will consider introducing supports for rural hotels to either assist in re-invigorating existing hotels or with building new hotels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30430/26]
View answerThis Government recognises the central importance of tourism to Ireland’s economy and to the vitality of communities nationwide. A strong, sustainable and regionally balanced accommodation base is essential to a competitive and resilient tourism sector. Accommodation underpins the visitor experience and perceptions of value for money, while strengthening the wider tourism ecosystem and supporting businesses of all sizes to grow.
The forthcoming Tourist Accommodation Strategy, a key commitment under A New Era for Irish Tourism, will set out a clear framework to strengthen, diversify and expand Ireland’s accommodation offering, both through the current platform of the existing infrastructure and with new development.
The Strategy will focus on improving accessibility across a range of price points, unlocking development in areas with untapped tourism potential, and supporting balanced regional growth with sustainable, year-round economic benefits. I published a public consultation to inform the Strategy yesterday (27 April, 2026) and it is accessible via www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Access to robust, reliable and comprehensive data is essential to effective policy development and long-term planning and the Strategy will address our future data requirements in this regard.
Fáilte Ireland currently maintains accommodation registers under the Tourist Traffic Acts and the National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF), providing a strong evidence base for the sector. These registers currently record 227,192 tourism bedplaces nationally, demonstrating the scale of the industry and it's capacity.
In parallel, Fáilte Ireland has developed a Tourist Accommodation Capacity and Pipeline Monitor. This strategic tool tracks existing capacity and monitors development projects as they progress through planning, construction and delivery. The monitor supports early identification of supply pressures, provides insight into regional and sectoral trends, and supports evidence-based decision making by policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Based on Q3 2025 data, the pipeline monitor forecasts that 12,750 new bedplaces under construction will be delivered nationally across 2026 and 2027. In addition, planning permission has been granted for a further 37,550 bedplaces. The monitor will be refreshed with Q1 2026 data early this summer.
To further strengthen the tourist accommodation data framework this year, a statutory register for all Short-Term Letting (STL) accommodation will be introduced following the introduction of necessary legislation. This measure will significantly enhance transparency and visibility across the full accommodation spectrum, ensuring a more complete and robust dataset to inform tourism policy and investment decisions in rural, urban, island and emerging tourism destinations.
Thus, drawing on the public consultation feedback, enhanced statutory data, the forthcoming STL register and the capacity and pipeline monitor, the Tourist Accommodation Strategy, led by my Department will take an integrated, data-driven approach to long-term accommodation planning.
This will ensure Ireland’s tourism infrastructure evolves sustainably and informed by and in line with changing consumer preferences, global travel trends, while safeguarding the resilience and competitiveness of the sector nationally and at community level.
165. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to introducing additional supports for small and medium enterprises to assist with the increased cost of doing business, which has been exacerbated by recent events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30449/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been a significant issue for firms in recent years, driven by wider inflationary pressures, particularly energy costs. The Government continues to actively monitor cost developments across all sectors of the economy.
Recent increases in fuel costs, arising from geopolitical developments, are impacting sectors to varying degrees, depending on their reliance on fuel and transport. The Government is conscious of the pressures this volatility is placing on businesses, particularly SMEs, and recognises the importance of reducing the exposure to such shocks. This underlines the need to accelerate the transition towards greater energy independence. Significant investment is being made in renewable energy, electricity grid infrastructure, and energy efficiency, with reducing reliance on fossil fuels central to improving resilience against current and future energy price shocks.
A range of measures is in place to support businesses in managing energy costs and improving efficiency. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a suite of supports aimed at reducing energy demand and costs. Through the “Easy Wins” campaign, businesses are being encouraged to adopt practical, low-cost measures with rapid payback, including energy management training and energy audits. Financial supports are available through Rapid Approval Grants, such as the Business Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant, as well as Tailored Support Grants including the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, the Community Energy Grant, and supports for excellence in energy-efficient design.
In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme provides long-term, low-cost financing to SMEs and small mid-caps, including those in agriculture and related sectors, with loans ranging from €25,000 to €3 million over terms of up to 10 years, including unsecured lending of up to €500,000. The Government has also allocated €300 million in Environmental Aid to support decarbonisation among large industrial firms supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. As of January 2026, 41 projects with a combined value of €154 million have been approved across sectors such as manufacturing, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals, supporting reductions in energy use and enhancing competitiveness.
More broadly, the Government is addressing business costs through the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, published in September 2025, which sets out 85 actions across six themes to strengthen national competitiveness. In parallel, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum has been established to bring together stakeholders across sectors to identify cost pressures and consider practical measures to address them. The final report, informed by extensive stakeholder input and cross government collaboration is expected to be presented to Government before the summer recess and it will play a key role in shaping future approaches to supporting a competitive, resilient, and sustainable enterprise environment.
