Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are fast approaching peak tourism season. Notwithstanding the pressures we have been under in seeking accommodation for asylum seekers over the past 15 months or so, the use of hotel accommodation and the problems this might cause for the tourism sector have been flagged for at least the past year. We are right in the thick of it now. Nationally, the average use of tourist accommodation for asylum seekers is a little under one third. It is 34% when Dublin is excluded. In places like Longford, 71% of tourist accommodation is being used for asylum seekers. The figures for Offaly and Donegal are 59% and 53%, respectively. Tourism will be seriously affected. If accommodation is not available when tourists look for it, our tourism potential for 2023 will be greatly reduced. Does the Minister accept that proper long-term planning was not done in sufficient time to deal with this issue?

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