Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

449. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of tourist beds available in Ireland across the full offering (details supplied), in tabular form; the availability under each category in each region or county as of 1 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1696/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.

The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

450. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has researched and quantified the projected loss in tourism revenue in 2023 as a direct reduction in the tourist-bed capacity resulting from the reliance on tourism accommodation for refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1697/23]

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

451. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contingency planning that her Department has undertaken to assist the tourism economies of small coastal towns and villages such as Bundoran, Lahinch, Strandhill, Rosses Point, among many others by the absence in tourism revenue and seasonal employment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1698/23]

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

453. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an analysis has been carried out regionally to identify the regions, towns and villages that are set to be worst affected due to the absence of sufficient tourist accommodation; if so, if she will publish such analysis; if not, if she will undertake to carry out such analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1700/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 450, 451 and 453 together.

Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine and we are honouring our commitment to help people who have been displaced by this horrendous war. This is by some distance the largest humanitarian operation ever undertaken by the Irish State and tourism accommodation has played a vital part in this national response.

The lower availability of tourism accommodation in 2023 due to a range of factors, including Ireland's response to the current humanitarian emergency, is of concern given the multiplier impact in the wider tourism economy of visitor spend on tourism accommodation. In 2019, overseas travel to Ireland generated earnings of €5.1 billion so a 25% reduction in market capacity, for instance, would have significant economic impact. The wider tourism ecosystem contains a wide range of inter-dependent businesses and Fáilte Ireland estimates that for every euro spent on accommodation, between €2 to €3 is spent in other parts of the local economy.

The Government is monitoring the impact of the humanitarian response on the tourism sector and my officials are engaging with a number of Departments in this regard, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) which is working urgently across Government with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can continue to be met. Officials in my Department and Fáilte Ireland are in ongoing engagement with the DCEDIY to better understand the level and location of tourist accommodation contracted for humanitarian purposes and to understand in more detail the towns and areas that may be most affected.