AQW 3410/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 22/09/2022
Answered On Date: 05/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) to outline what funding was made available from his Department or its non-departmental public bodies for the Foyle Cup in July 2022; and (ii) how much funding was made available in the previous three years.

Answer:

The Foyle Cup, held in July 2022, was awarded £9,000 support through Tourism NI’s National Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme 2022/23.

The Foyle Cup did not take place in 2020/21 or 2021/22 therefore no financial support was made available from Tourism NI.

The Foyle Cup held in July 2019 was awarded £30,000 of support through Tourism NI’s National Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme 2019/20.

The varying level of awards over the years is primarily a reflection of the significant level of competition for available funding.I appreciate concerns about the reductions in funding available to events, and the impact this can have. I am very aware of the challenges which have been faced by many event promoters over the past few years.Tourism NI recognises the substantial tourism and wider benefits generated by the Foyle Cup and were therefore keen to support it within their sponsorship scheme for 2022/23.