Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied regarding the availability of an adequate number of hotel and guest house beds to facilitate the growing tourism sector; if he plans particular initiatives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42425/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation through regular occupancy surveys. This analysis indicates that while the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation, there are capacity constraints in areas of high tourist traffic at times of peak demand and additional capacity is required in certain parts of the country, particularly Dublin city.
In this context, Fáilte Ireland commissions periodic assessments of hotel accommodation in Dublin. Although the results confirm the current shortage, they also indicate that there should be sufficient stock - whether being developed currently or being planned - to meet projected demand in the future, with the bulk of new stock due to come on-stream after 2018.
With specific regard to factors within my Department's and Fáilte Ireland's remit, revised hotel regulations were introduced last year in response to consumer preferences and in order to boost the economic rationale for investment in hotel development. The changes set out in these regulations should make investment even more attractive by allowing hotel operators provide more rooms and operate at a lower cost base, thereby improving hotel capacity, competitiveness and profitability. Consumers should also benefit in terms of increased room capacity, competition and range of accommodation.
