Govt aiming to raise tourism value by €1.5bn

The Government wants to grow the value of the tourism sector to €5bn by 2025.

It is currently worth €3.5bn to the economy every year, and Minister Paschal Donohoe will launch new policies for the area later.

It is also hoped the plans will see the numbers employed in the industry grow to a quarter of a million over the next 10 years.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will join the Minister for the launch in Kilkenny Castle this afternoon.