Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister is aware, the tourism sector is coming out of a very difficult few years after Covid-19 restrictions, on top of which there are the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis and the influx of refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. However, media reports yesterday covered the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, issuing of a report, Irish Tourism: Impact of Ukrainian Conflict. The report says that Ireland is an outlier in Europe in regard to its over-reliance on tourist beds for refugees. The report also says that almost 22% of tourist accommodation in the State is currently used by the State for refugees both from Ukraine and other parts, and that is expected to rise with the influx of refugees over the winter months. It says that the Government figure suggests 76% of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland are being accommodated in tourist facilities. As the Minister knows, we have heard other reports about the severe knock-on effect this has had on the sector. Has the Minister met with the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, to try to find a solution to this?

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