Vol. 440 No. 7
16 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he intends to take to attract more tourists with disabilities to Ireland; if provision will be made in the operational programme for tourism, 1994 to 1999, to provide improved facilities for people with disabilities in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
33 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his policy regarding the integration of people with disabilities into mainstream tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
54 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he intends to take to attract more tourists with disabilities into Ireland; if provision will be made in the operational programme for tourism, 1994 to 1999, to provide improved facilities for people with disabilities in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
58 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he intends to take to attract more tourists with disabilities into Ireland; if provision will be made in the operational programme for tourism 1994 to 1999 to provide improved facilities for people with disabilities in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 33, 54 and 58 together.
The rapid expansion of the tourism sector in recent years has seen a proportionate increase in the number of tourists with disabilities. This had led to an increasing level of inquiries from tourists and potential tourists about accessibility of facilities in Ireland. As a result, the National Rehabilitation Board, with the assistance of Bord Fáilte, held a conference on tourism and people with disabilities on 18 January 1994. I was invited to open the conference.
The conference was told by an expert speaker that, based on a report carried out by Touche Ross last year, tourism by people with disabilities in Europe is worth £31 billion, £22 billion of which is unsatisfied demand. Ireland's share of this market could be worth as much as £160 million. While some research may be needed in relation to both supply and demand, it is clear that this is a very valuable market which we cannot afford to ignore.
The essential purpose of the conference was to inform the tourism sector of the commercial benefits of providing services inclusive of people with disabilities. At the conference, I announced my intention that all new or improved physical developments undertaken under all new EU-sponsored tourism programmes, managed by my Department shall be required to provide appropriate access for the disabled. I also indicated that I would be seeking EU approval for a parallel programme of access improvements to existing tourist facilities, where these can be undertaken on a cost-effective basis.
During my address to the conference, I requested the National Rehabilitation Board to liaise with Bord Fáilte and to submit to my Department a set of detailed proposals for support under the next round of EU Structural Funds. I recently received their proposals which are now being considered in my Department.
We are losing £80 million a year in tourism revenue due to lack of facilities for the disabled. Will the Minister evaluate existing tourism projects paying particular attention to access facilities for the disabled and include them in any grant aid available from the EC?
Any future proposals for funding will have to take such measures into account. There is a considerable niche market there. An inter-departmental committee, under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, looks at transport matters in so far as they affect disabled people. Account will be taken of it and other areas in the next operational programme.
There are 50 million disabled tourists in Europe yet we make little effort to facilitate disabled people on our public transport. Action is needed, not lip service. We must think in terms of the great potential in this market. Disabled people travel to other destinations where they are well catered for.
I received a submission I requested from the National Rehabilitation Board within the past two weeks and it is being studied at present.
