Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of registered overnight serviced accommodation, by type, by county, in tabular form, for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35212/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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This Government recognises the central importance of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and communities and is acutely aware of the importance of local tourism accommodation as a resource for businesses and communities throughout Ireland.

The overall position regarding the available data on accommodation for tourism purposes is complex and multi-layered. Fáilte Ireland maintains tourist accommodation registers as provided for under the Tourist Traffic Acts and under the Acts, it is a legal requirement that any premises using a prescribed term such as ‘Hotel’ or ‘Guest House’ must be registered with Fáilte Ireland and meet the criteria set out in the relevant regulation.

Fáilte Ireland, through the National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF), is responsible for assessing and approving tourism accommodation providers to ensure they meet these criteria as defined. Each premise undergoes an assessment at the application stage, followed by an annual renewal assessment.

In terms of ensuring adequate future supply, Fáilte Ireland has developed a capacity and pipeline monitor to track movement in tourism accommodation capacity. This includes changes in current capacity and the tracking of the pipeline of tourist accommodation in Ireland focusing on planning, construction commencement and opening phases of development. This monitor allows Fáilte Ireland to better pinpoint challenges that exist in terms of the development of tourism accommodation and to measure the impact arising.

In addition, the statutory register of all Short-Term Letting (STL) accommodation in the State will, when implemented by Fáilte Ireland in May 2026, provide a full picture of the stock of tourist accommodation.

Reliable and complete data in this area is vital for best informing the Governments tourism accommodation policies. Scoping of all available data and any data gaps arising is being actively pursued by the relevant officials in my Department. A more complete overview, based on hard data, will enhance Fáilte Ireland’s ability to promote wider tourism investment.

The combined insights gleaned from the accommodation capacity and pipeline monitor; the existing tourism accommodation registers; and the STL register will help shape and inform Ireland’s long term accommodation development plans to meet changing consumer demands and trends.

The available data for the period 2020 to date, requested by the Deputy, can be found in the attached document prepared by Fáilte Ireland.

Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a detailed list of all measures the serviced accommodation sector is obliged to comply with as part of registration with Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35213/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Tourism accommodation in Ireland is known for its excellent quality and diversity.

Fáilte Ireland as Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority has responsibility for ensuring that tourist accommodation maintains the highest standards of quality and meets consumer needs. It carries out this function by setting the requirements for the various categories of accommodation and through the regular monitoring of the standards in all forms of approved accommodation.

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016 Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions in relation to the registration and grading of tourist accommodation. These registration and classification responsibilities cover accommodation legislation, monitoring of product quality, customer relations and in particular the management of appointed sub-contractors for the inspection and registration assessment of various accommodation categories.

The Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 - 2016, provides that any premises using a prescribed term such as ‘Hotel’ or ‘Guest House’ must be registered with Fáilte Ireland and meet the criteria as set out in the relevant regulation.

The Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for each accommodation category set out in detail all measures that must be complied with when using prescribed terms under the Tourist Traffic Acts and include the Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Guest Houses 2003; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Holiday Hostels and Youth Hostels 2007; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Short Term Tourism Accommodation Rental 2018 and Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Holiday Camps 2018.

Under these regulations there is a requirement for all tourist accommodation providers to meet their statutory obligation which include but are not limited to:

• Complying with the Planning and Development Acts, 1963-2024 (as amended or extended) and in possession of a Certificate of Compliance in relation to the planning permission granted and the building regulations including all current legislation.
• Complying with the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 (as amended or extended) and with any Regulations made thereunder (as amended or extended), and in possession of a valid Fire Safety Certificate.
• Having notified the HSE in accordance with Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and under Regulation 6 of S.I. No 369 of 2006 as amended and in compliance with Food Safety Regulations.