Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tourist Accommodation.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

41 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the advantages and disadvantages for those in the bed and breakfast sector being licensed or approved; and the proposal, if any, he has to further encourage these operators to seek approved status. [14953/99]

Ivor Callely

Question:

80 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the consideration of mandatory registration of all bed and breakfast accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 80 together.

Under section 9 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1957, Bord Fáilte is empowered to publish or cause to be published, lists of tourism accommodation premises, including bed and breakfast operations, which are not registered titles under the Tourist Traffic Acts. The system by which bed and breakfast accommodation is listed is a voluntary one and operators who do not wish to be listed by Bord Fáilte are not prohibited from carrying on their business.

Operators who are listed experience a number of advantages such as access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte, the Gulliver reservations service and the tourist information office network, and access to special support schemes, such as tax incentives, which are only available to the listed sector. All providers of tourist accommodation are obliged, whether listed or unlisted, to comply with official requirements in areas such as taxation, planning, fire and safety and hygiene.

The issue of mandatory licensing or registration of all tourist accommodation, including bed and breakfast establishments has been examined by successive Administrations over the years and they have all come to the same conclusion that any mandatory system, in order to be effective, would require a significant diversion of resources currently devoted to the development of tourism towards administration and policing. This would be particularly burdensome as many accommodation providers only operate for short periods of the year.

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the volume and range of tourist accommodation which has enhanced the choice available to tourists and allows market forces to weed out accommodation which is not of a sufficiently high standard to meet tourist requirements. In light of developments in the supply of accommodation, I share the view of my predecessors that the introduction of a compulsory licensing system would be an inappropriate use of resources. There is no evidence to support the view that such a system would have any appreciable impact on accommodation standards over and above that brought about by market forces.

Meanwhile Bord Fáilte and the recognised listing bodies will continue to encourage all operators to seek listing status by highlighting the advantages of being listed. As part of this process, earlier this year I launched a new initiative targeted primarily at the small listed accommodation provider. Bord Fáilte is carrying out a fundamental review of how the various groups in this category are branded and marketed overseas.

Progress has already been achieved in this process with the appointment of a steering committee to oversee the project and a marketing co-ordinator who will undertake market research and then develop and implement a marketing plan. I am confident that this initiative will considerably expand the range of assistance and advice offered to the sector, thereby making listing a more attractive proposition. Resources totalling £300,000 have been set aside for Bord Fáilte to support this initiative in 1999.