Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if adequate hotel accommodation is available in all regions; with a view to ensuring the ability of the sector to cater for the growing needs of tourists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45636/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to Fáilte Ireland's most recent accommodation occupancy statistics, for January to September 2015, hotel room occupancy in Dublin stood at 77%, whereas hotel occupancy in the rest of Ireland was 67%.
These statistics indicate that the country as a whole has sufficient stock of hotel accommodation to meet the needs of the industry. However, analysis of recent trends in occupancy levels and the impact of increasing demand indicates that we will require additional capacity in some parts of the country - in particular Dublin City Centre. Failure to address such capacity constraints could impact negatively on targets in the "Destination Dublin" strategy and in the Tourism Policy Statement, "People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025".
To broaden our understanding of the situation and inform consideration of appropriate responses, Fáilte Ireland recently commissioned an independent assessment of the potential supply of visitor accommodation in Dublin up to 2020 and I am informed that the report is being finalised.
