Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
92. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is satisfied that there will be sufficient holiday accommodation available to meet the demand of holiday visitors to Ireland for the 2023 season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3736/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of International Protection applicants, continues to put real pressure on the Government’s ability to offer humanitarian accommodation and has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State’s history.
I recognise the growing concern among the wider tourism industry about how the amount of tourism bed stock taken out of the system for humanitarian reasons is likely to have a real impact on tourism’s recovery in 2023 and beyond. In addition, hotel accommodation is not an ideal medium to longer term solution for the accommodation needs of families and this is why the Government is exploring a wide range of alternative options.
My Department has, at the Senior Officials Group on Ukraine, communicated the potential challenges arising for the tourism ecosystem, particularly in those parts of the country where high proportions of the tourism accommodation stock are directed to humanitarian purposes.
My officials are engaging with a range of Government Departments, with input from colleagues in Fáilte Ireland, on how best to mitigate the potential impacts on the wider tourism ecosystem of long-term use of tourism accommodation.
I have regular interaction with my colleagues in Government on this issue and I have communicated the concerns of industry as to the long term effect this issue could potentially have on our Tourism sector.
At this point, it is difficult to predict with any certainty the balance between tourism demand and availability of accommodation in 2023, as much will depend on the current interplay between the tourism accommodation sector and the humanitarian effort.
