asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the steps he proposes taking to encourage Irish people to holiday at home during 1986; and, in particular, the steps he proposes taking to attract young people to holiday in Ireland as indicated in the White Paper on Tourism Policy.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Holidays Promotion.
21.
Arising out of the Government's White Paper on Tourism Policy, Bord Fáilte have been directed to place a greater emphasis than heretofore on encouraging Irish people and, in particular, young Irish people to holiday at home.
Measures taken to make home holidays more attractive include: the wide-ranging VAT reductions that effectively reduce the tax rates on most tourism products to 10 per cent which is below the EC average; the introduction of the hotel and guesthouse reconstruction and development scheme aimed at improving hotel standards and providing a variety of all-weather facilities for guests; a particular emphasis in Bord Fáilte promotions on special interest and activity holidays to cater for our younger people.
In addition, Bord Fáilte have been asked to identify suitable longer-term strategies to make Irish holidays more appealing to both home and overseas young people.
We are all delighted with the reduction of VAT on accommodation so far as holidays are concerned. Will the Minister indicate the number of applications received for improvement grants for hotels and guesthouses and the number of approvals released to date? The Minister referred to the fact that Bord Fáilte are involved in special interest holidays. Will he indicate a few special interest holidays?
With regard to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary question, I will let him have details, because I do not have up-to-date information in that regard. With regard to the second part of his question regarding special interest and activity holidays for younger people, Bord Fáilte are initiating a development scheme aimed at the development of angling, golf and other facilities for young tourists. These matters are being taken up by the various regional boards and Bord Fáilte are giving them all the encouragement possible.
I find it extraordinary that the Minister does not know the number of applications received for a grant improvement scheme he announced himself.
That is a separate question.
The Minister's initial reply referred to improvement grants as part of the strategy to develop better holidays for home holidaymakers. One would have thought the Minister would have had an interest in a scheme he announced himself. However, I shall be glad to receive the information from the Minister. He referred also to long-term strategies of Bord Fáilte. That is the kind of old bumph we have been getting for many years. Will the Minister please explain exactly what he means by long-term strategies when my question asked what he proposed to do in the short-term to attract holidaymakers in 1986?
With regard to the applications received and the approvals issued, the situation here changes daily as new applications are received and new approvals issued.
There have been no approvals.
A reply to a question last week clearly indicated the number of approvals issued in each country.
First the Minister tells us he does not have the information and how he gives us that reply.
I am not in a position to give an accurate reply. I do not wish to give other than accurate and up-to-date information regarding the number of applications received and the number of approvals issued. With regard to short-term and long-term strategies, Bord Fáilte are the statutory body responsible for promotional work on holidays and in the White Paper they were directed to take a special interest in attracting a younger group of tourists because the age group had risen quite substantially.
To play golf?
Golf, fishing, mountaineering and boating. We are confident of a successful outcome with regard to promoting these activities.
There is not a single advertisement inviting younger tourists.