Vol. 468 No. 4
776 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to encourage operators of unapproved tourism enterprises to acquire approved status; and whether grant aid will be made available for upgrading these premises. [15775/96]
I believe that the best approach is to ensure that membership of the approved sector continues to offer distinct advantages to operators over the unapproved. At present only approved operators have access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte and the tourist information offices, to tax breaks and to other subsidised finance schemes. The pilot tax relief scheme for the tourist resort area and the subsidised tourism loan schemes were also carefully designed so that only approved operators would be eligible. Unapproved operators are already 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. I am hopeful that, backed by this approach, the associations which have been recognised, following the restructuring of Bord Fáilte, for the purpose of approving the B and B sector will be successful in their drives to increase their membership.
