'Unprecedented investment' in midlands tourism announced
A €17m investment in small and micro tourism business ideas in the midlands will 'leave a lasting legacy of transformative change', according to Fáilte Ireland.
The agency has launched an open call for expression of interest for the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs as part of the EU Just Transition Fund for the midlands.
The scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in the wider midlands, including Westmeath and Roscommon, by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat.
The €17m grant-aid scheme is the first part of the up to €68 million Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking scheme to be delivered by Fáilte Ireland, as part of the EU Just Transition Fund.
Co-funded by the Government and the European Union, the EU JTF Programme supports regions that are experiencing the negative impacts from the transition away from fossil fuel-intensive or greenhouse-gas-intensive industries, such as the use of peat for energy generation.
Under the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme there are five project categories that will be considered for funding: Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning & Design; Digital Transformationn and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, said: “The opening of the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme by Fáilte Ireland marks the beginning of the regenerative tourism development journey in Ireland, as we work towards a low carbon economy. Working with all partners and communities on the ground I am confident that this scheme will help to transform tourism in the Midlands and enable the regional economies to thrive.”
Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, said: “The EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme is an example of how the Government and the European Union are working together to provide new employment and economic opportunities in the Midlands that will help local communities benefit directly from the green transition.
CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly said: "This is a significant funding scheme for tourism in the Midlands that will leave a lasting legacy of transformative change. We encourage private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to recognise the enormous potential of this scheme.
"We are now inviting them to express their interest in developing a tourism project that will help create more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities.
"It is an unprecedented investment in tourism, and one that is going to have a tangible economic impact," he added.
Fáilte Ireland said it recognised the potential of tourism to generate employment for former peat harvesting based communities. As a result, it had developed a set of actions to be incorporated within the EU Just Transition Fund programme to create new enterprises and jobs by establishing the Midlands as an authentic regenerative tourism destination, based on the sustainable use of the peatlands and wetlands.
The purpose of the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme is to deliver grant-aid to private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to help them improve the quality of the visitor experience within the EU Just Transition Territory.
Applications for the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs will be assessed by Fáilte Ireland, who will provide guidance on the scheme and offer direct support to applicants.
Private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs can find scheme guidelines, useful toolkits and how to register their interest in the scheme at on the Fáilte Ireland website.