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

209. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which hotel bed spaces continue to remain sufficiently available throughout Dublin city and the greater Dublin area, with a view to ensuring that tourists and those seeking hotel accommodation are not pressured into paying exorbitant prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45999/23]

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

213. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to be satisfied regarding the availability of adequate hotel accommodation throughout the country in order to provide for increased numbers of tourists seeking autumn, winter, spring and/or summer holidays here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46003/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 213 together.

There are currently just over 24,000 hotel rooms in Dublin City and County. While it is estimated that another 3,500 rooms are coming on stream over the next two years it is likely that more rooms, of differing classes and types, will be needed to support tourism, business and the range of other reasons which draw visitors from overseas and from around Ireland to the capital.

It is important to have a capital city that can cater for different types of visitors with quality and value choices to suit different budgets. Fáilte Ireland the National Tourism Development Authority, has been encouraging both the development of, and positive conditions for, hotels in Dublin through sharing evidenced-based analysis and through its role as a prescribed body in the planning process.

Fáilte Ireland is also 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 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. My own officials are engaging strategically on the future accommodation needs of the tourism sector.

In relation to hotel prices, while Ireland is not a low-cost destination, it is vital that the sector keeps the value for money proposition to the fore across all its segments to ensure that our high quality reputation is maintained and that new and repeat visitors continue to come here.

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

210. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which opportunity exists for winter holidays in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46000/23]

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. With specific regard to opportunities existing for winter holidays in the country, this is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. 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.