Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware,there is a wide range of EU funding programmes relevant to the tourism ecosystem, details of which can be found at:

op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/e0707433-aa5f-11e6-aab7-01aa75ed71a1 and ec.europa.eu/growth/news/new-online-guide-eu-funding-tourism-2021-05-12_en.

Various tourism enterprises, businesses, destinations or Local Authorities can, if they wish, submit applications for funding (when calls for funding issue) under various EU funding programmes, such as:

- Ireland Wales 2014-2020 (EU Interreg Programme), details available at irelandwales.eu/

- European Capital of Smart Tourism, details available at smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/index_en

- European Destination of Excellence, details available at ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/eden_en

- LEADER, details available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/46cecf-leader-programme-funding/ (in respect of rural tourism projects)

My Department continues to engage with Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the European Commission regarding state aid options for the continuation of grant schemes and funding streams, including the Temporary Framework, which is currently under review by the Commission. In that regard my Department is working closely with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that there will be no delay in funding to tourism stakeholders as a result of switching between state aid vehicles, and that any such change will be seamless.

My Department is also engaged in on-going work in consultation with the tourism agencies in developing an application for funding under the PEACEPLUSprogramme, details available www.seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS. This new programme will support peace and prosperity across an eligible area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland (Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). My Department intends to make a submission when Calls for Applications in respect of tourism projects are launched later in 2022.

In addition my Department will continue to explore all available funding avenues in respect of tourism, through its on-going participation in EU’s Tourism Advisory Committee.