'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.”

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.

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.

Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the opening of the €17m scheme in Midland’s counties.

“As part of the EU Just Transition Fund, this scheme prioritises the generation of jobs in areas where the economy traditionally centred on peat extraction and peat powered electricity generation,” she said.

“The focus is on employment and benefit to local economies but there is also a strong nod to low carbon project ideas. An appreciation of the need to work with nature and within the limits of our resources will mean that these jobs, these enterprises and this new focus of our economy will be sustainable for generations to come.”

“Like all EU Just Transition funding schemes, I see real potential here to start the ball rolling in the right direction, and with sufficient impetus, so that it gains momentum and the Midlands soon becomes a world-class visitor destination.

“We can be best in class for low carbon eco-tourism. We have unique and remarkable built and living heritage and we have people ready and willing to share their love of it – that’s where the magic lies.”