Vol. 436 No. 8
33 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether, in the context of his responsibility for national tourism policy, he has identified the expansion of the youth hostel movement as a development priority; and the steps, if any, he has taken for monitoring the implementation of tourism policy in this regard.
It is the policy of the Government, through Bord Fáilte, to register and approve both youth hostels and holiday hostels. Bord Fáilte is responsible for the day to day administration of these arrangements. I do not have any direct responsibility for them. The expansion of the youth hostel sector is a matter for An Óige in the first place but, if a policy intervention is called for, I will of course consider it.
