Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 8

Written Answers. - Approval of Accommodation.

Robert Molloy

Question:

38 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether he has completed his examination of ways and means to encourage unapproved accommodation operators, to consider registration with Bord Fáilte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/96]

As I have stated in various fora in the past, mandatory approval of all accommodation would not be practical nor would it necessarily improve standards to any great extent. It could reduce the accommodation bank available, particularly during the high season and at the cheaper end of the market, and it would certainly give rise to endless policing and prosecution problems. The best approach is to ensure the unapproved sector does not have advantages over the approved. At present unapproved operators do not have access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte and the tourist information offices, nor do they have access to tax breaks or other subsidised finance schemes which are available to the approved sector. The pilot tax relief scheme for the tourist resort areas and the subsidised tourism loan schemes were carefully designed so that only approved operators would be eligible.

Unapproved operators, on the other hand, are obliged to comply in the same way as the approved sector with requirements, for example, in the areas of taxation, planning, fire and safety and hygiene. My Department has been impressing on the relevant enforcement agencies the need for constant vigilance to ensure that their policing or inspection practices do not discriminate as between approved and unapproved sectors. The ideal solution would be for the unapproved sector to become approved. I am hopeful that following the restructuring of Bord Fáilte, the associations which have been recognised by Bord Fáilte for the purpose of approving the B & B sector will be successful in increasing their membership.

Top
Share