asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the crisis facing the hotel and guesthouse industry in tourist resorts and provincial towns; and if he will take steps to safeguard the jobs of permanent staff and seasonal workers.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry.
29.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if there are any proposals in his Department to enable Bord Fáilte to pay "survival" grants and other forms of assistance to the many hotels and guesthouses which are in financial difficulties due to the collapse of the tourist industry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.
While there was a decline in tourism business during the 1969-72 period it would be incorrect to refer to this as a collapse of the tourist industry. Tourism revenue in 1973 showed a distinct improvement on 1972 and this improvement is expected to continue during the current year. In the six months up to June, 1974, there has been a 5 per cent increase in tourist numbers over the same period last year. The home market has also shown considerable buoyancy, which has helped to offset difficulties in other areas.
Bord Fáilte have already taken steps to safeguard the jobs of permanent staff and seasonal workers in the industry by more intensive marketing efforts. I recently authorised the board to introduce a scheme of grants which will help the owners of hotels and guesthouses to carry out essential repairs and renewals which they would otherwise be unable to afford and to carry out improvements to their premises, provide amenities and facilities for their guests and staff accommodation of good standards.
From the Minister's reply it would appear there will be a 5 per cent increase this year. Is he aware that hoteliers and guesthouse owners in the west and south of Ireland complain constantly that the number of tourists is down and that they are compelled to let go staff they recruited early in the season and that this is because of the drop in tourism, despite the information at the Minister's disposal?
The Deputy is making a speech rather than asking a supplementary question.
Is the Minister aware that this seems to be the position?
No, I am not. From the information I have there is no evidence of any jobs in jeopardy in the hotel industry. CERT's understanding is that there are shortages in certain categories and that, while vacancies exist on a national basis, the position may vary from area to area.
Is the Minister aware that some hotels have already let staff go? If necessary, I will provide the names of the hotels for him.
That is a direct contradiction of the evidence given to me by the Director of CERT.
The position is as I have stated.
I would have anticipated that this would have been the best season ever for tourism had I been asked. I do not like prophesying. I refused last year to say what I thought the outcome for the tourist season would be. If I had put aside that reservation about prophesying for this year I would have forecast it to be the best year ever. There are three things which have gravely affected the tourist season this year. One is the bombs in Dublin in May; another is what has been referred to in England as the Gaughan funeral; and the third the bombing of the House of Commons and yesterday's bombing at the Tower of London. I do not know who did the bombing yesterday but the impression was given by commentators and the British network last night that it was the IRA. If that is so it is bound to affect the tourist industry as well. It has been impossible over a number of years to divorce the effects on tourism from acts of violence in any part of these islands. The tourist industry in the country generally, which is a very valuable export industry, has been the sufferer in this regard.
Could the Minister explain why some hoteliers have been waiting 18 months and longer for the payment of grants legally due to them from Bord Fáilte.
I have another question on that.
Question No. 31.
Could I ask the Minister——
I am sorry, Deputy Barrett. I have allowed the Deputy quite some latitude.
I have just one more question. Would the Minister or Bord Fáilte consider making grants available to travel agents and to hoteliers who are prepared to go abroad to do their own promotional work in an effort to increase the number of tourists to this country?
That is a separate question but my understanding is that Bord Fáilte do this.
Not for travel agents.
Next question.
They do it for anyone who is promoting tourism.
They bring in foreign travel agents.
They give it to the others as well.
31.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether there are any proposals in his Department to enable Bord Fáilte to pay arrears of grants due to hotels.
There are no arrears of grants due to hotels. Bord Fáilte have sufficient funds to enable any claims for grants to be met as they fall due.
That is not true.
It is true. This is the factual situation.
We cannot have an argument on this matter. This is Question Time. Next question.
The Deputy should withdraw that.
Unless they were paid within the last week. They must have been paid since the question was put down.
If the Deputy has a particular person in mind will he let me know about it. If somebody feels there is money due to him will the Deputy let me know and I will find out why he is not getting it? My information is there are no arrears of grants due to hotels.
They were probably paid within the last week.