Vol. 523 No. 4
22 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will require hotels and other tourism facilities to indicate, in tourism brochures and leaflets, their level of accessibility and the facilities available for people who are elderly or disabled so that people do not book accommo dation or facilities that fail to meet their needs. [21200/00]
Bord Fáilte, the regional tourism authorities – RTAs – and Shannon Development have encouraged and continue to encourage tourism providers to provide for the care and activity needs of elderly or disabled persons. The body responsible for the register of tourist accommodation, requests information from all operators seeking approval, on the accessibility of their respective premises.
Accommodation guides in respect of hotels, guesthouses, Irish homes, youth hostels, holiday hostels, caravan and camping sites provide an indication of those premises which have facilities and services that are accessible to persons with special needs, thus enabling such persons to make informed decisions regarding their holiday choice. In most cases, symbols indicating accessibility of premises are utilised with the approval of Comhairle, the body now incorporating the roles previously carried out by the National Rehabilitation Board.
Bord Fáilte will continue to consider further means to improve the promotion and identification of the level of access available to visitors with special needs.
Question No. 23 taken with Question No. 13.
