Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

609. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which hotel bed accommodation is currently adequate to meet the demand in all regions based on occupancy over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10522/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The most recent statistics are for January to September 2014 and show that hotel occupancy has risen by 2% to 65% when compared to the same period in 2013.  Occupancy rates in that period for other forms of accommodation were lower, with the next highest being guesthouses at 63%, Bed and Breakfast at 42%, Hostels at 57%, Self-catering at 48% and Caravan and camping sites at 34%.  All of these sectors have increased occupancy rates since 2013 but are still a long way off capacity.  

I am aware that occupancy rates for hotels are higher in Dublin and other key locations have improved considerably over the last couple of years.  Although the rates paid by guests have risen somewhat, hotels in Dublin remain good value compared to other West European capital city destinations.  In order to maintain the competitiveness of the sector there would appear to be scope for investment in hotels and other tourist accommodation in Dublin, particularly in the city centre where demand is highest.  The steps the Government is taking to strengthen the construction sector in the "Construction 2020" strategy should help to deliver that capacity, as with other sectors such as residential and office development.  

The statistics would indicate, therefore, that notwithstanding the potential issues with hotels in Dublin, the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation to meet the needs of the industry.