asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to a recent statement by the British Ambassador to Ireland that comfortable, clean and well-run boarding houses, rather than hotels, were needed by the majority of British tourists coming to Ireland; and, if so, whether he will now make grants available for the provision of this type of accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Boarding Houses.
28.
I have seen the statement referred to. Under existing schemes, registered guesthouses are eligible for guaranteed loans and interest grants.
No financial assistance is available for unregistered premises, but Bord Fáilte has published a list of such accommodation for this year comprising some 6,560 beds. Present indications are that this accommodation is not yet being fully utilised.