Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming has called on the Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland to visit County Laois to see first-hand the pressing funding requirements for the tourism industry in the county.
Deputy Fleming made the comments after it was revealed that County Laois received the least amount of funding from Fáilte Ireland nationwide.
Deputy Fleming said: “This revelation is deeply disappointing and clearly shows that national policy does value our local tourism industry.
“The county received just €93,750 in funding from Fáilte Ireland over a period of several years to support the local tourism industry.
“The next lowest county was Carlow which received €415,745 which is over four times the amount received by Laois.
“How can we expect to grow our tourism industry locally when national tourism policy makes such a measly funding allocation?
“The tourism industry has been growing across Ireland in recent years, but Laois simply hasn’t received its fair share of the funding needed to grow the number of visitors travelling to the county.
“We urgently need the Minister to direct Fáilte Ireland to address this problem.
“I’m calling on senior management at Fáilte Ireland to travel to Laois and see first-hand the potential that the county has to offer to the tourism industry.
“There are many worthwhile locations and projects that are deserving of funding to help Laois tap into new tourism market.
“It is time Fáilte Ireland met with people in Laois who are working to promote tourism in the county.
“I have written to Fáilte Ireland to express the serious concern that I have regarding the measly funding allocation that the county has received to date to support tourism initiatives.
“I have also extended an invitation to the Chief Executive to visit the county.”
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