Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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635. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether current short-term hosting accommodation, such as a company (details supplied) is not compliant with the same health and safety standards as formal accommodation providers, such as those registered with Fáilte Ireland; if he has explored proposals for mandatory registration of all accommodation providers to ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations; and his further views on whether not implementing compliance with such regulations in the hosting sector amounts to unfair competition vis-a-vis formal accommodation providers. [22068/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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636. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of providers of short-term hosting accommodation which have been inspected by Fáilte Ireland or another body to ensure compliance with health and safety standards in 2016 or the most recent year for which statistics are available. [22069/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 and 636 together.

With specific regard to health and safety standards, regardless of whether or not they are registered or listed with Fáilte Ireland, accommodation providers must comply with the relevant statutory requirements, as enforced by a range of bodies including local authorities and the Health Service Executive. I, as the Minister with responsibility for Tourism, have no role in this regard.  Neither my Department nor the tourism agencies are responsible for legislating for, regulating or enforcing compliance with health and safety standards.  Accordingly, neither I nor Fáilte Ireland can provide information on the number of health and safety inspections conducted.

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions regarding the registration and grading of tourist accommodation.  In accordance with the legislation, certain categories of accommodation (such as hotels and guesthouses) are statutorily obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland and comply with approved regulations, whereas other accommodation segments (such as B&Bs or small self-catering schemes) are not.  However, these regulations mainly relate to the quality of the product and the level of service.  In addition to the statutory systems, Fáilte Ireland also offers a voluntary quality assurance approval and listing system for non-statutory tourist accommodation, including Irish home B&Bs, historic houses with accommodation and other atypical tourist accommodation businesses who could seek approval under the Welcome Standard.  There are no plans at present to amend the current systems. 

The company the Deputy mentions is a sales and marketing platform for a variety of accommodation types, including B&B and self-catering.  Short-term accommodation providers, regardless of whether or not they use intermediary sales and marketing platforms, may apply for Fáilte Ireland approval.  Furthermore, Fáilte Ireland engages with any accommodation providers and intermediary platforms whose offering aligns with the strategic objectives for the development of Irish tourism.