asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby the new bedroom scheme announced last September is still not being operated by Bord Fáilte and the reason why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Fáilte Bedroom Scheme.
28.
The scheme was launched last October and the closing date for receipt of applications was 23 November 1979. Bord Fáilte tell me that the response to the scheme has been quite heavy.
The scheme is a selective one designed to meet estimated hotel bedroom needs over the next few years both as to number and location. The scheme does not, therefore, create a general entitlement like previous schemes. All of the applications have to be evaluated against these criteria and processed in their own right. While not all of the proposals under the scheme would be due for implementation in 1980, the question of the level of funds to be allocated for hotel accommodation in 1980 also had to be borne in mind.
The Government have allocated the amount sought by Bord Fáilte for the new scheme for this year and I am told that approvals will issue within the next few days.
I am glad to hear the Minister's last sentence. Is the Minister aware that many hotel groups and individual hoteliers have postponed investment decisions because they cannot get a definite commitment from Bord Fáilte in relation to grants under the scheme to which the Minister referred? Is he now confirming to the House that there is no bar on Bord Fáilte telling people who qualify for grants that the money has been allocated and that grants will come in due course?
There has not been any excessive delay because the closing date was only at the end of November. It was necessary to examine in detail the applications and make decisions on them. It was also necessary to await the amount of the allocation for this year. Bord Fáilte were informed about this a month or six weeks ago. I am aware that if it had been possible to make an announcement before now some hotel proprietors might have started work. I regret if they are delayed a few weeks in that respect. It can be accepted that the approvals concerned will issue within the next few days.
Will the Minister not accept that because of the seasonal nature of the hotel industry a delay of a few weeks in the announcement of the grant will—there are instances of which I am aware—postpone construction until the autumn because of its interference with the tourist trade? The Government's failure to announce these grants sooner will have an impact on the construction industry.
I do not expect that to be the case. Most of the grants are for extensions to bedroom wings. I believe the building can go ahead notwithstanding the fact that the hotel is otherwise in general use.
How many grant applications were received and how many extra bedrooms do those applications represent?
I do not have that information but there was quite a substantial number.
The Minister has implied that the delay was caused by the number of applications.
There were a substantial number of applications but I cannot say what the total is. I was not asked for that information and I have not been given it.
It is a question the Minister should expect to be asked.
Was the Minister informed if Bord Fáilte are in a position, having evaluated all the applications, to inform the various hoteliers that the money has been allocated and that the grants can be paid, or will an extra period be required by Bord Fáilte before the hoteliers are informed as to whether they qualify or not?
As I mentioned earlier, I am informed that approvals will issue in a few days time. It is not a question of everybody who applies for a grant getting one. This scheme, of its nature, is necessarily selective.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the list include a new hotel in County Cavan?