Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are more than 300 castles here in a dilapidated state; if he has considered implementing a restoration programme similar to the one enacted by the Spanish Government whereby castles and other historic building were turned into hotels Paradores, with a view to boosting tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16035/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have no funding available to my Department for a programme such as that suggested by the Deputy.  I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Fáilte Ireland estimate that there is currently excess capacity in hotel accommodation in Ireland.    I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Fáilte Ireland estimate that there is currently excess capacity in hotel accommodation in Ireland.   

However, in relation to investment in tourism accommodation generally, including renovations, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the recent provisions in the Finance Bill that allow accommodation providers to benefit from the extension of the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) to include tourism accommodation and the confirmation of the eligibility of tourism accommodation to participate in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).