Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
450. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has researched and quantified the projected loss in tourism revenue in 2023 as a direct reduction in the tourist-bed capacity resulting from the reliance on tourism accommodation for refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1697/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra451. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the contingency planning that her Department has undertaken to assist the tourism economies of small coastal towns and villages such as Bundoran, Lahinch, Strandhill, Rosses Point, among many others by the absence in tourism revenue and seasonal employment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1698/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra453. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an analysis has been carried out regionally to identify the regions, towns and villages that are set to be worst affected due to the absence of sufficient tourist accommodation; if so, if she will publish such analysis; if not, if she will undertake to carry out such analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1700/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 450, 451 and 453 together.
Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine and we are honouring our commitment to help people who have been displaced by this horrendous war. This is by some distance the largest humanitarian operation ever undertaken by the Irish State and tourism accommodation has played a vital part in this national response.
The lower availability of tourism accommodation in 2023 due to a range of factors, including Ireland's response to the current humanitarian emergency, is of concern given the multiplier impact in the wider tourism economy of visitor spend on tourism accommodation. In 2019, overseas travel to Ireland generated earnings of €5.1 billion so a 25% reduction in market capacity, for instance, would have significant economic impact. The wider tourism ecosystem contains a wide range of inter-dependent businesses and Fáilte Ireland estimates that for every euro spent on accommodation, between €2 to €3 is spent in other parts of the local economy.
The Government is monitoring the impact of the humanitarian response on the tourism sector and my officials are engaging with a number of Departments in this regard, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) which is working urgently across Government with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can continue to be met. Officials in my Department and Fáilte Ireland are in ongoing engagement with the DCEDIY to better understand the level and location of tourist accommodation contracted for humanitarian purposes and to understand in more detail the towns and areas that may be most affected.
