Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
292. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount of funding allocated to tourism development projects in County Kerry for each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50519/26]
View answerCounty Kerry 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 referenced. This funding is closely aligned with the Wild Atlantic Way Regional Tourism Development Strategy and Kerry’s Destination Experience Development Plans, with an emphasis on sustainable growth, visitor dispersion, extension of the tourism season and increased local economic impact.
Significant investment in tourism development projects is also delivered through several Government programmes and international funding mechanisms, such as LEADER. In addition to funding provided by individual local authorities, wider regional and central Government schemes also make an important contribution to capital investment and tourism regeneration regionally, for example through the RRDF.
Key tourism development projects supported by Fáilte Ireland in County Kerry since 2021 include:
|
Project |
Amount Granted by FI |
Notes |
|
Blasket Centre and Great Blasket Island |
€1.6875M |
Total project cost: €2.25M. Delivered with OPW and other partners |
|
Bray Head, Valentia Island |
€2.23M |
Improvements to Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point and Signal Tower visitor experience |
Funding under the following schemes was provided as follows:
|
Scheme |
Amount Granted by FI |
Notes |
|
Destination Towns Scheme |
€550,000 |
In respect of Tralee |
|
Outdoor Dining Scheme |
€1.5869M |
€690,348 under Strand A supporting 257 businesses, plus €896,624 under Strand B for projects in Killarney and Dingle |
|
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme |
€500,000 |
Allocated to co-funded outdoor recreation projects between 2018 and 2021. |
|
New Horizons Small Grant Scheme |
€720,000 |
Four Skellig Coast-linked projects received funding: Leading Lights at Cromwell Point (€120,000), the Transatlantic Cable Station (€200,000), the Portmagee Whiskey and Seine Boat Experience (€200,000), and The Old Barracks, Cahersiveen (€200,000) |
|
Platforms for Growth 2: Water Sports Facilities |
€1.4M |
Funding for best-in-class permanent water-sports facilities at Fenit (due to open July 2026). Further investment in similar facilities under this scheme is planned for two further sites in County Kerry: Ballybunion and Maherabeg |
|
The Kingdom of Kerry Greenways |
€50,000 |
Provided for an interpretation plan for the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways, covering Tralee to Fenit and Listowel to Abbeyfeale |
|
Digital that Delivers |
€3.4396M |
Awarded to 78 businesses in Kerry (to June 2026) under this Digital transformation and training initiative designed to enhance the online presence and commercial capabilities of visitor attractions, activity providers and day tours across the tourism sector |
|
Regional Festivals Fund; Food Festivals Fund |
€85,250 |
To support local funding to festivals in County Kerry, administered by Kerry County Council |
|
Other Festival Funding |
€264,500 |
Provided to festivals in Kerry under the Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme and St Patrick’s Day festival funding |
|
Home of Halloween |
€300,000 |
Comprising 3 x €100,000 annual payments to Kerry County Council over 2025 – 2027 under the ‘Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme’
|
Kerry’s funding profile shows sustained investment in signature outdoor assets, heritage experiences, destination towns, digital transformation and festivals. The combined supports strengthen Kerry’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.
