Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans for development of the vacant IDA site in Fermoy, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional Development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, Regional Development is one of four key strategic objectives of the IDA 2025–2029 strategy, "Adapt Intelligently" with a commitment to secure 550 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside Dublin - 55% of all planned investments. Additionally, the overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected €250 billion in economic impact with the IDA having set ambitious targets for every region in Ireland.
Furthermore, a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and to the winning of investments into the regions from both new name clients and from the existing client base. In this regard, IDA Ireland’s property strategy aims to address regional market failure through investment in enterprise-focused property solutions that meet the needs of multinational companies and indigenous clients in support of winning investments.
IDA Ireland also partners with Local Authorities for the delivery of advance planning permits in regional locations as well as investing in significant infrastructure projects across its portfolio of Business and Technology Parks responding to evolving company needs. Furthermore, IDA Ireland maintains a focus on acquisition of new landbanks and strategic sites to future proof the ability of the property portfolio in regional locations to support the project pipeline.
This targeted forward-planning is vital to provide certainty and ensure Ireland has a competitive offering that meets the evolving needs of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients.
Cork County is home to 76 IDA client companies, primarily manufacturing operations, employing 23,241 which accounts for 45% of total employment in the South West. Currently, these companies are located across twenty locations in Cork County, including Fermoy, highlighting the positive impact of FDI across the county.
The IDA has over 280 hectares of lands available for marketing to IDA and EI clients in Cork. The presence of strategic landbanks in several locations in Cork positions the greater Cork area for new Greenfield opportunities, which if successful will benefit Cork city and county and the wider South-West region. This is complemented by private sector activity in the development of manufacturing and office property solutions in the greater Cork are
The Fermoy Business Park is maintained as part of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio and is available to accommodate investment and development by IDA clients and clients of Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The vacant 8-hectare site in Fermoy is part of IDA’s overall strategic landbank portfolio in Cork offering greenfield sites of c. 6Ha to suit both manufacturing and international services clients, in a landscaped and serviced environment and is available to support IDA and Enterprise Ireland clients with appropriate services in place to accommodate same. In that regard, IDA continues to proactively market the site to suitable qualifying client companies. IDA Ireland is committed to the continued promotion of the lands at Fermoy for development for employment-generating uses consistent with its development brief. IDA Ireland continues to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that a supportive ecosystem is in place to assist IDA in winning investments into the Cork region.
62. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to the recent consultation on the review of employment permits occupation lists, when the results of the review will be published; the number of critical skills employment permits approved to date in 2025; the breakdown of the categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61766/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. This objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupation List and the Ineligible Occupations List that set out skills that are in high demand or employments that are not eligible for consideration for an employment permit.
The Occupations Lists are subject to periodic review which includes a public consultation inviting submissions from interested stakeholders to provide their observations and experiences for changes, based on evidence. Receipt of submissions to the current review which I launched earlier this year closed on Friday, 19th of September. Officials of my department are currently engaging with other government departments with responsibility for various sectors of employment to consider these submissions and the evidence provided and will prepare a report with recommendations in the coming months.
Set out below is data gathered in regards to the number of critical skills employment permits approved to date in 2025; the breakdown of the categories, in tabular form:
|
Critical Skills Employment Permit |
|
|
A - Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing |
37 |
|
B - Mining & Quarrying |
13 |
|
C - All Other Manufacturing |
277 |
|
C - Manufacture of Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals |
276 |
|
C - Manufacture of Computers, Electronics & Optical Equipment |
251 |
|
C - Manufacture of Food, Drink & Tobacco |
114 |
|
C - Manufacture of Medical Devices |
115 |
|
D - Electricity & Gas & Air Conditioning Supply |
184 |
|
E - Water Supply - Sewerage Waste Management & Remedial Activities |
52 |
|
F - Construction |
602 |
|
G - Wholesale & Retail Trade |
144 |
|
H - Transport & Storage |
72 |
|
I - Accommodation & Food Services Activities |
87 |
|
J - Information & Communication Activities |
2,198 |
|
K - Financial & Insurance Activities |
1,189 |
|
L - Real Estate Activities |
18 |
|
M - All other Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities |
357 |
|
M - Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities of Head Offices, Management Consultancy Services |
242 |
|
N - Administrative & Support Service Activities |
38 |
|
O - Public Administration & Defence |
32 |
|
P - Education |
116 |
|
Q - Health & Social Work Activities |
2,288 |
|
R - Arts, Entertainment and Recreation |
37 |
|
S - Other Service Activities |
655 |
|
No Sector Entered |
43 |
|
Grand Total |
9,437 |
63. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on figures published by the Central Statistics Office indicating that the number of tourists coming to Ireland is down seven and a half percent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62276/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that the latest CSO figures show some 604,500 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in September 2025 which is an increase of 5% when compared with the same month in 2024 and an increase of 4% compared with September 2023. This is the second consecutive month of 2025 to show growth in visitor numbers compared to 2024 and this is very encouraging.
When comparing visitor numbers in September 2025 with September 2024, those from Great Britain were up 17% and North America by 7%. Visitors from North America are particularly important for Irish tourism as they tend to stay longer and spend more.
I want to see the growth continue in the months ahead and in this regard, the tourism agencies have significant marketing activity underway. Following the recent excitement in Bethpage, New York, Ireland accepted host destination status for the 100th Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in September 2027. We will be working hard to leverage the tourism potential of Ryder Cup 2027 and will now be gearing up to maximise the opportunity this global sporting occasion presents over the coming two years.
I am keen to see this momentum continue, and our tourism agencies are actively promoting Ireland through major autumn campaigns as a compelling destination to visit, including the “Home of Halloween” campaign. Tourism Ireland launched phase two of this campaign in late October across key overseas markets, positioning Ireland as the authentic home of Halloween.
In addition, Tourism Ireland partnered with online travel platforms to promote autumn trips and drive incremental bookings; to date, these partnerships have delivered over €50 million of incremental trip bookings to the island of Ireland.
Following the suspension of the passenger cap at Dublin airport earlier this year, winter seat capacity to Dublin is set to increase by +17% year-on-year, with over one million seats added to the schedule. Capacity on ferries sailing to Ireland in winter 2025/26 is estimated at 2.3 million passengers, which is higher than in the past two winters.
Earlier this year, I launched the Business Events 2030 strategy, the purpose of which is to promote the development of our world-class business events sector and realise the full economic benefits of business events for Ireland. It is one of the highest-yielding tourism segments, it contributes more than €1 billion to the economy annually, €290 million to the Exchequer, and supports 22,000 jobs. The strategy sets out a clear roadmap to drive an average annual revenue growth rate of 8% to 2030, benefitting the tourism ecosystem, our SMEs and local economies across the country.
In Budget 2026, I introduced targeted supports for tourism and hospitality, including VAT reductions for small and family-run businesses and enhanced entrepreneur relief to drive innovation and job creation. We’ve increased funding for Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, and Local Enterprise Offices to help communities build sustainable local economies.
An additional €70 million has been allocated to develop Irish tourism SMEs and attractions, and to link overseas investment with new airline routes. In line with our Action Plan for Market Diversification, Tourism Ireland is working to reduce reliance on specific markets and explore new opportunities, building on the success that brought inbound tourism to €6.9 billion in 2024.
The Action Plan on Market Diversification forms a core component of the Government's response to current market challenges and volatility. In line with the Action Plan, Tourism Ireland will play a central role in a refreshed strategy to grow market share in current key markets and in new and emerging markets.
My Department will shortly publish a new National Tourism Policy Statement. This will set a clear strategic direction for the tourism sector for the next five years, focusing on growth, sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive development.
I’m confident this will ensure Ireland’s tourism sector remains resilient and competitive.
64. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on the recent closure of a factory (details supplied); the engagement his Department and the IDA have had with the company prior to the announcement; the supports being put in place for the workers affected; the steps being taken to secure alternative employment or investment for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62202/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the enterprise agencies remain firmly committed to driving balanced regional development. Under its “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally” Strategy for 2025–2029, Enterprise Ireland (EI) aims to grow employment in client companies to 275,000, with a strong emphasis on regional job creation and scaling indigenous businesses across all counties. EI works in partnership with Irish businesses and the Food FDI Sector to help them grow and succeed from Ireland.
The company in question has confirmed its intention to cease manufacturing operations in its Portlaoise facility in the second half of 2026. Enterprise Ireland supported the establishment of the Portlaoise site and maintained ongoing engagement with the company but was not advised of any closure plans prior to the formal announcement. Since then, both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have engaged with the company to explore the potential reuse of the facility.
Enterprise Ireland offered activation of the Local Response Team, in line with the State's agreed job loss protocol. This coordinated approach is designed to streamline engagement and reduce duplication across agencies.
Supports available through the Local Response Team include:
• Outplacement and training services
• Skills profiling and availability timelines
• Recruitment connections with local and regional employers
• DSP/Intreo-led welfare and employment support sessions
• Access to further education and training
• Entrepreneurship supports
• Onsite Jobs Fair
The company in question has indicated that enhanced redundancy packages and career transition supports will be provided to affected employees. Redeployment opportunities may also be available at other company locations.
My Department is working with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Laois County Council, and other regional stakeholders to identify alternative investment opportunities for the site and to support broader economic development in the area. The facility remains a strategic asset within the National Enterprise Park at Junction 17.
My Department’s agencies will continue to support businesses in Laois and across the wider midlands region to succeed. Latest figures show that, as of 2024, there were 2,060 people employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies based in Laois, a 4.1% increase on 2023.
Enterprise Ireland’s partnership with the LEOs is also of critical importance in delivering support to all Irish businesses, growing the number of Irish exporters, and backing job creation nationwide. EI Regional Offices and the LEOs engage continuously to maximise opportunities for businesses, ensuring each company is being supported to reach its full potential.
IDA Ireland enjoys close working relationships with key stakeholders across the Midlands region and is heavily involved in a significant number of initiatives to improve the value proposition for FDI including Just Transition, the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, and the Regional Skills Forum.
65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if there will be an overall net gain or net loss of jobs in this country as a result of AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible at this stage to determine whether the number of new jobs created by AI will fully offset or exceed the number of jobs displaced, as the long-term impact will depend on multiple evolving factors. The pace and scale of AI’s impact varies for different sectors. It will also depend on how quickly industries adapt, how effectively workers are reskilled and upskilled, and how AI technologies evolve.
This was highlighted in the November 2025 report from Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) ‘AI and the Irish labour market’. The report emphasised that AI is likely to augment many existing roles, but the overall effect on employment levels is “less clear cut”. The report rightly notes Government must continue to monitor and address any risks AI may pose to our workforce.
My Department, with the ESRI and the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, is undertaking research on the potential impacts of AI on key sectors of the Irish economy. The final report, due to be published in 2026, will help to inform evidence-based policymaking and ensure Ireland remains competitive and resilient in the face of rapid technological change.
What is clear is that development of new capabilities and capacities in the workforce will be necessary as it is very likely that new types of jobs will emerge.
The Government is taking a strategic and proactive approach to ensure the workforce is equipped to harness the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence. Through targeted investment in reskilling and upskilling initiatives, we aim to empower the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy and to meet the demand for evolving roles.
The embedding of digital skills, including AI, in teaching and learning at school level will help to ensure that Ireland has a future oriented workforce and population with the skills to drive the development, deployment and use of AI to increase productivity and benefit society. This is reflected in the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
66. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the strategies in place to reduce bullying in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62193/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll employees in Ireland are entitled to a safe and stable working environment. Workplace bullying, defined as repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, threatens that stability. It can undermine employees’ right to dignity at work and can impact their mental and physical health.
Bullying in the workplace is a psychosocial hazard that needs to be managed by an employer like any other work-related health and safety hazard and risk. The role of the Health and Safety Authority(HSA) is to ensure that an employer has appropriate systems and processes in place to manage bullying as a psychosocial hazard, and to ensure an employer’s system of work is not one where bullying is facilitated or tolerated.
In relation to this issue, the HSA has prepared and published, jointly with the Workplace Relations Commission(WRC), a Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work.
This Code provides practical guidance for employers on identifying and preventing bullying at work arising from their duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 as regard “managing and conducting work activities in such a way as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees at risk”. The Code provides comprehensive guidance for employers on establishing both informal and formal mechanisms to deal with bullying complaints at enterprise level.
The WRC’s overarching role is to achieve harmonious working relations between employers and employees. The WRC encourages local discussion on, and resolution of, disputes and issues which arise in the workplace including cases of alleged bullying. The WRC delivers several services which may assist.
Workplace mediation provides a confidential, professional, efficient and effective process to assist all parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement or outcome to a dispute or claim. This approach often helps to avoid more formal processes. It is particularly suited to disputes involving individuals or small groups of workers who find themselves dealing with situations which may involve interpersonal differences, conflicts, difficulties in working together or breakdown in a working relationship.
Following the exhaustion of internal procedures, employees may have access to Adjudication Services under Section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969. It is worth noting that a number of individual bullying grievances have been dealt with through mediation by the WRC Services over the past number of years. The Adjudication Service are independent adjudicators, and they investigate disputes referred to them by individuals or small groups of workers under specific legislation.
The HSA engages with employers through the inspection process to ensure that they have a policy in place regarding the prevention of bullying at work and the processing of bullying complaints. Where an adequate policy on workplace bullying does not exist, an employee can register a complaint with HSA Contact Centre. While the HSA does not get involved in mediating or investigating individual bullying complaints, when a complaint of workplace bullying is received, the HSA uses its statutory powers to ensure that an employer has a suitable workplace bullying policy in place to deal with the complaint and, if necessary, to assess whether or not the employer’s actions in dealing with the complaint were adequate.
67. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions his Department is taking to encourage remote, flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support businesses and employees in adopting remote and retaining remote working patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62288/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment launched the National Remote Work Strategy, 'Making Remote Work', in January 2021. The Strategy identified 15 actions to be undertaken to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace and all of these actions have been successfully delivered. The Programme for Government re-affirms the commitment to promoting flexible working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers and Government is committed to facilitating remote and flexible working in a way which maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
The right to request a remote working arrangement has been available to all employees under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 since the 6th of March 2024.
The Act acknowledges the global transformation in work practices brought about by remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic. This shift fundamentally changed the way many of us work, and the provision of this statutory framework was extremely timely. Providing a right to request supports and facilitates remote working in Ireland, and at the same time, supports a productive and competitive business environment.
The legislation is accompanied by a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Code of Practice on the Right to Request Flexible and Remote Working Arrangements. This Code was developed in consultation with the social partners and provides practical guidance to both employers and employees to support compliance with the legislation. The Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect was also developed by the WRC in April 2021.
As required by Section 29 of the legislation, my Department has recently commenced a review of the operation of the remote working provisions of the Act. The purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness of the legislation in providing the new entitlements, to evaluate the clarity of the legislation and to identify any unintended consequences of the legislation.
Remote work plays a vital role in broadening access to the labour market, reducing commuting times, and allowing people to spend more time with their families. Ensuring that the legislation underpinning remote work is effective is key to supporting these benefits.
As part of the review, I will shortly launch a public consultation on the operation of the remote working provisions of the Act. The findings of this review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in March next year.
In addition to this work, Government has developed and introduced a suite of policies and supports for remote working, including:
•The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, together with my Department, is leading the development of a National Hub Strategy which will inform the future direction of the National Hub Network. The National Hub Network, facilitated by the connectedhubs.ie platform, was launched in 2021. Underpinned by significant Government investment, there are currently 393 facilities across the country on-boarded to the online platform.
•The Working in Ireland Survey, which is co-funded by my Department, is currently being carried out by University College Dublin. The survey investigates a variety of employment quality factors across the entire island of Ireland, including work-life balance.
•The Department of Taoiseach has also requested that the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) undertake research into the Evolution and Impact of Remote and Hybrid Working in Ireland. A working group has been established to oversee the research, which is expected be completed by mid-2026.
•Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy sets ambitious targets for the continued development of the digital infrastructure which enables successful remote working in Ireland. The Programme for Government sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.
•An income tax deduction for people working from home.
The right to a request flexible working arrangement, such as adjusted working patterns or reduced hours, is available to parents and carers under the Work Life Balance Act. The flexible working provisions of the Act are under the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
68. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has had any engagement with businesses or business representative groups regarding the changes to the National Training Fund. [61622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises facing rising energy and business costs, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62164/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been an issue for firms in recent years, arising from both the wider inflationary trends – particularly energy costs – as well as Government mandated changes in the form of improvements to working conditions across a range of areas. It is important to note that costs for firms, as measured through the CSO’s Wholesale Price Index, are declining, and are down 2.6% in the 12 months to September 2025.
Most recently the Government has taken action to address business costs through the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, and the convening of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, which are both commitments in the Programme for Government. The focus of the Action Plan is on actions that can be taken to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity. The Action Plan contains a number of actions in the area of sustainability and energy and these include a review of electricity network tariffs, and a review of supports and funding available to businesses for climate adaptation measures.
The establishment of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum delivers on the commitment regarding supports for Small Business, Enterprise and Industries. The Forum is tripartite collaboration bringing together a broad section representative bodies spanning many indigenous sectors as well as the multinational corporations. The second meeting of the Forum took place in July with a specific focus on Energy Costs and discussions from this meeting will inform the Forum’s report to Government which is scheduled for Q1 2026.
Budget 2026 has also provided an overall package of €9.4bn. €8.1bn has been provided for public spending and €1.3bn for new tax measures. Measures which will benefit SME’s include:
• A reduction in the Hospitality VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% from 1 July 2025.
• An increase in the rate of the R&D Tax Credit from 30% to 35%, inclusion of R&D employee emoluments, and increase in the first-year payment threshold from €75,000 to €87,500.
• An increase in the CGT Revised Entrepreneur Relief lifetime limit from €1m to €1.5m
• An increase in the Employer PRSI threshold to ensure that employers do not pay the higher rate of PRSI for full-time workers earning the minimum wage.
• Extension of the KEEP scheme to 31st of December 2028.
Finally, Fáilte Ireland offers several training and business supports to tourism operators including Climate Action Programme, Commercial Resilience Clinics, Digital Transformation Support , People and Performance initiatives, Champions Programme as well as Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, and Access for Success. Fáilte Ireland is also part of the National Enterprise Hub, a Government-led platform which makes it easier to access information on all government supports for funding, programmes and resources for Irish tourism and hospitality businesses.
70. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total amount of money spent on promoting County Louth as a tourist destination to date in 2025; the nature and extent of this promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our Agencies. At 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, and that Fáilte Ireland do not allocate its marketing spend on a county by county basis.
The Programme for Government provides that this Government will work with Fáilte Ireland to develop a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, promoting and enhancing the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin. Fáilte Ireland has established localised Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs) to activate these brands.
Louth is included in Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023 – 2027. The ‘Ancient’ Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which was launched in May 2021, is a five-year plan designed to be a roadmap for enhancing the existing visitor proposition to achieve the objectives of addressing seasonality, increasing visitor numbers, improving dwell time and visitor dispersion in the Boyne Valley & surrounding areas of both Meath & Louth. Key achievements to date include the completion of a plan to re-imagine the Boyne Valley Drive and the development of an outdoor Destination Orientation Development Plan for Carlingford & the Cooley Peninsula.
In May, I announced the recipients of funding under Fáilte Ireland’s new Home of Halloween Pilot Destination Development Scheme. A total of €2.1 million will be invested over the next three years (2025–2028) which aims to establish Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween. Each successful destination, which included a joint proposal by Meath County Council and Louth County Council, will receive up to €100,000 annually to develop Halloween-themed festivals that celebrate Ireland’s heritage and attract visitors during the off-peak season. Marketing efforts under the Keep Discovering campaign and international media visits arranged by Fáilte Ireland, have also further elevated Louth’s profile.
In 2024, Tourism Ireland generated positive publicity in international media outlets for County Louth with a reach of almost 72 million. Some publicity highlights to date by Tourism Ireland in 2025 have included:
• A new TV series, called “Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour”, fronted by celebrity chef Anna Haugh and supported by Tourism Ireland, aired on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer earlier this year. In the final episode, British singer Shane Ward joined Anna in County Louth.
• Tourism Ireland invited five German journalists – with a combined audience of 1.6 million – to visit the Cooley Peninsula in spring. They heard about the myths and legends of this part of Ireland.
Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, undertakes a programme of fact-finding visits for tour operators and travel agents in our key markets, so that they can experience the superb tourism product in Louth. For example: Seven tour operators from North America – all specialists in outdoor activity and soft adventure holidays – visited Ireland in early October. Their programme included a guided tour of Carlingford and of the deserted village on Slieve Foye.
Finally, the Carlingford Lough area is also one of three destinations that will feature as part of up to €23million in Government funding, under the Shared Island Fund. Delivered in partnership with Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, this project will deliver a network of trailheads, trails and water access points across the wider Carlingford Lough region; destination gateways /arrival infrastructure, creating an industry capacity building opportunity to support industry in the development and utilisation of the ‘outdoors’. The project will increase connectivity between existing trails and tourism assets across the region. This will be complemented by the delivery of a Destination Experience Strategy to promote the region as a leading outdoor tourism destination.
