Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood and it is recognised that the use of tourist accommodation to support the Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis has impacted the sector.

Fáilte Ireland has identified that, in November 2023, 12% of all registered tourism accommodation stock nationally was under contract to the state. An additional amount of tourism-type accommodation that is not registered with Fáilte Ireland is also contracted to the state.

I have made up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes a Business Support Scheme, investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals, and recruitment and retention initiatives.

On 27 March, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth secured the Government's approval for a new comprehensive accommodation strategy for International Protection applicants that will see a move away from full reliance on private providers towards a core of state-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 state-owned beds by 2028. This approach will over time, help to reduce the reliance on tourism accommodation.