David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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28. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the incentives, if any, in place to encourage the provision of tourist accommodation in areas where a lack of such accommodation is evident; if she will carry out an audit of such accommodation needs nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2852/23]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has carried out, or would consider carrying out, a review of hotel and other tourist accommodation provision and availability across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2851/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 63 together.

Fáilte Ireland is currently working on Accommodation Audits to establish a baseline on existing capacity and to provide gap analysis in each destination and region. As part of the roll out of all Destination Experience Development Plans, Fáilte Ireland will audit and map out current accommodation stock. This will include a quality and gap analysis (if any) for additional accommodation development on a county-by-county basis.

Fáilte Ireland will use these audits to inform Local Authorities as they shape their own tourism accommodation strategies. For example, to ensure that tourist accommodation development is clearly identified in future county development plans, Fáilte Ireland will make recommendations on the optimum accommodation mix to fill any gaps in the market.

This work will assist my Department which has initiated the development of a new National Sustainable Tourism Policy. The development of this new policy will involve extensive consultation with the tourism industry and our communities to help set out a path for the coming years which will support a sustainable recovery and development in the sector.