Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 7

Written Answers. - Tourist Accommodation.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

51 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he has any proposals to introduce grant aid for accommodation for hotels or guest houses with 30 bedrooms or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

67 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether there are now any incentives for the provision of self-catering tourist accommodation; and, if so, if he will outline same.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 67 together.

Investment in hotels, holiday cottages and holiday camps qualifies for tax relief at a preferential rate under the capital allowances facility. These and a wide range of other tourist accommodation categories also qualify for loan finance at fixed rates of interest under a special working capital scheme for tourism operated by the Industrial Credit Corporation and funded from the European Investment Bank and various European banks. In addition, grant aid for tourist accommodation is now available in certain circumstances under the recently-announced EC funded agri-tourism scheme, while the International Fund for Ireland operate an aid scheme for hotels and guesthouses in the Border counties and County Sligo.

There are no plans at present to introduce any new incentives for tourist accommodation.