Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister said, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation compiled a report that revealed that more than one in five tourist beds in Ireland are contracted by the State. That is 22% of the country's tourism accommodation capacity, including 15% of hotel rooms, to provide shelter for those fleeing Ukraine and the thousands of other asylum seekers from other countries. The fear is that the tourism season starts in early March and, judging from what the Minister has said, the figures are particularly high outside Dublin. There does not seem to be a real plan. The OPW said earlier in the week that 200 rapid-build homes would be available between early and mid-2023. The Minister has said there are 500, but I have seen no evidence of that and there is no guarantee or commitment. The fear is that the tourism sector will not be fully open for the early part of the tourism season. What plans are there for those who are currently in hotel rooms? Where do they go?

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