asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the Government propose to provide money for large luxury tourist hotels as announced; and if they are satisfied that such hotels are necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Luxury Tourist Hotels.
20.
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that none of the additional hotels now planned is expected to be in the luxury class by accepted international standards. Óstlanna Iompair Éireann Teoranta have announced proposals for the building of four new motor inns but I am advised that none of these is in the luxury class and that they are intended to cater for a demand from motoring visitors for high standard accommodation at moderate prices. The money for these motor inns will be raised by the Company in the commercial market. It is assumed, however, that the projects will qualify for the usual Bord Fáilte grants for the development of holiday accommodation. The Government are satisfied that additional hotel accommodation is necessary to cater for the anticipated growth in tourist traffic.
(Cavan): Would the Minister give us his definition of a luxury hotel?
The Deputy can find out by looking at the Bord Fáilte list of hotels, at those which are marked by a star—hotels such as the major hotels in Dublin.
Like the ones the Minister's car is parked outside.
(Cavan): Would the Minister give us an idea of his estimation of the charges which luxury hotels should make for, say, bed and breakfast?
It would be very hard to do that. It might vary from anything between £2 to £5 or £6 according to the class or grade of accommodation.
(Cavan): Is it not a fact that all of the hotels of which the Minister is speaking are luxury hotels and that——
I would not agree with the Deputy at all. One of the great difficulties is recognising the fact that as the years go by standards of accommodation are constantly increasing. The best answer I can give is that there has been a very large increase in accommodation through guest houses and the lower grades of hotels. In fact, bedroom accommodation, since 1958, has increased by 82 per cent in the less-expensive grades and by 72 per cent in the more expensive grades, and recently there has been a very considerable increase in supplementary accommodation in guest houses. The figures will be supplied for the information of Deputies in advance of the Estimate.
As recently as the last two years Bord Fáilte refused grants to hotel owners in Dún Laoghaire because the Bord Fáilte information was that the accommodation provided in Dún Laoghaire was more than adequate to cater for the tourist trade. In the light of that, how do Bord Fáilte justify proceeding to allow a grant to CIE for an hotel in Dún Laoghaire?
The Deputy will be aware that the situation has changed. With the coming of the car ferry, there has been a reassessment of the whole position in Dún Laoghaire in regard to motorists using Dún Laoghaire as a centre from which to visit Dublin. I have not the exact information——
If there is a reassessment will not hotel owners in Dún Laoghaire be given grants? Those people pioneered the work, they were refused grants and they now find a State company, which is entering into competition with them, receiving State finances while they have been refused. Surely that is not the way to develop the tourist trade.