Tourist Accommodation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004

Tuesday, 23 November 2004

Questions (598)

Trevor Sargent

Question:

648 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the statutory charge for directional signs indicating bed and breakfast locations will not be increased to avoid burdening bed and breakfast owners further who already have considerable overheads such as commercial rates which are not paid for by property owners renting accommodation; and if he will liaise with his colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on the importance of the bed and breakfast sector for the economy in general and the tourism industry in particular. [30176/04]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 were amended in 2002 to set the licence fee for a fingerpost type directional sign to indicate tourist accommodation, which does not exceed one metre in length, at €50. It is not currently planned to increase this fee.

My Department has been in contact with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in the context of the ongoing implementation of the action plan for tourism recommended by the tourism policy review group in its report, New Horizons for Irish Tourism, An Agenda for Action.