Written answers

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Tourist Accommodation

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any shortfall in bed accommodation has been identified in Dublin or the various regions throughout the country; his proposals to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32461/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​According to Fáilte Ireland's most recent accommodation occupancy statistics, for January to June 2015, hotel room occupancy in Dublin stood at 72%, whereas hotel occupancy in the rest of Ireland was 59%.  Occupancy rates in the same period for other forms of accommodation were mostly higher in Dublin than in the rest of the country, although when the statistics become available for the peak tourist season we would expect a lower differential.  Comparing occupancy rates in Dublin/rest of the country respectively, guest house room occupancy was 74%/41% , hostels achieved 73%/47%  bed occupancy, B&B room occupancy was 48%/29% and caravan and camping site occupancy was 20%/16%.  At 32%, self-catering occupancy levels for the first half of 2015 were the same in Dublin as in the rest of the country.  

The overall statistics indicate that the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation to meet the needs of the industry.  However, regarding hotel accommodation specifically, analysis of recent trends in occupancy levels and the impact of increasing demand indicates that we will require additional capacity in some parts of the country - in particular Dublin City Centre.  Failure to address such capacity constraints could impact negatively on targets set  in Fáilte Ireland's "Destination Dublin" strategy and in the Government's Tourism Policy Statement.

To broaden our understanding of the situation and inform consideration of appropriate responses, I understand that Fáilte Ireland recently commissioned an independent assessment of the potential supply of visitor accommodation in Dublin up to 2020 compared to likely demand under several different growth scenarios and I am informed that a full report is expected by November 2015.

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