Written Answers Nos. 302-320
302. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on whether the Corporate Enforcement Agency is adequately resourced to carry out its functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35879/25]
View answerOn establishment in 2022 the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) had 36 civil service staff members and 10 members of An Garda Síochána on secondment.
The CEA has effectively doubled in size since then. The CEA now has 89 sanctioned positions (including one temporary post) and an approved complement of 16 seconded members of An Garda Síochána.
The CEA has seen a steady increase in funding since establishment reflecting Ireland’s commitment to a robust corporate enforcement regulatory regime. In 2022 the CEA was allocated €6million. By 2025, this allocation had increased to €11.5 million.
Resourcing of the CEA is kept under constant review and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is involved in regular engagement with the CEA in relation to its requirements.
303. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reason the Irish National Accreditation Board does not give accreditation for full genome testing, as in other EU member states, rather than giving accreditation on a condition-by-condition basis. [35885/25]
View answerThe Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) offers accreditation for whole genome sequencing to one of two standards – either EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (non-medical testing and calibration) or EN ISO 15189:2022 (medical testing).
The requirements are outlined in the INAB policy document, ‘Policy for the accreditation of Whole Genome sequencing (WGS) and Next Generation sequencing (NGS) techniques’, which is available on the INAB website: www.inab.ie/inab-documents/mandatory-policy/policy-for-the-accreditation-of-whole-genome-sequencing-wgs-and-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-techniques.pdf
The medical laboratory’s competence to advise service users on interpretation of their test results is a key component of the standard, EN ISO 15189:2022. Therefore, accreditation is normally limited to a certain set of tests, to specific medical conditions, or to a list of targets. The provision of flexible scope of accreditation for laboratories is not mandatory and the degree of flexibility afforded by National Accreditation Bodies (NABs) to accredited laboratories varies across Europe.
European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) policy sets out the requirements for, and risks to be considered by, NABs which wish to provide flexible scopes to their accredited laboratories. The INAB policy on flexible scope for EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and EN ISO 15189:2022 testing laboratories is available on the INAB website at: www.inab.ie/inab-documents/mandatory-policy/flexible-scope-of-accreditation-for-iso-17025-and-iso-15189-testing-laboratories-.pdf
The field of genetic testing is constantly evolving and a guidance document is being developed at European level by the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA). An INAB representative sits on this working group and INAB policies regarding this field of testing are currently under review.
304. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism 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]
View answerThis 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.
305. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism 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]
View answerTourism 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.
Fáilte Ireland also manages a robust system of classification for hotels and guesthouses. These schemes were developed in close consultation with the Irish Hotels Federation and provide greater information and transparency to the consumer on the different levels of facilities and services on offer throughout Ireland. Hotels and guesthouses must attain the minimum entry level requirements (one star in the case of guesthouses and 2 stars in the case of hotels) in order to comply with the relevant Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations.
All these factors contribute to the high standard and broad mix of serviced tourist accommodation on offer throughout the country.
306. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the short term letting and tourism Bill 2025 will pass through the Oireachtas before the recess in July, in light of the passage of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35242/25]
View answer310. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the protections or supports for the long-standing practice of family home bed and breakfasts that will be contained with the new short-term let legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35362/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 310 together.
On 15 April, Government approved the General Scheme for the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. The General Scheme was submitted to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on 16 April for drafting and this work is currently underway. It is expected that the STLT Bill will go through the full legislative process in the Oireachtas later this year.
This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings (STLs) in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation, which was adopted on 11 April 2024. The decision to introduce a STL register has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector.
The new STL register will be available online and will provide a full picture of the stock of registered tourist accommodation across the state. STL hosts (including self-catering and B&Bs) offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland, confirm their compliance with planning requirements and hold a valid registration number that must be displayed when advertising their STL property on online platforms.
The establishment of the register will assist local authorities with the enforcement of planning requirements for Short Term Lets.
Fáilte Ireland has estimated that, based on data for April 2025 which has been screen scraped from publicly available STL listings across four major booking platforms, there are in the region of 33,000 STL properties in the State currently being advertised online and up to approximately 64% of these properties are advertised as “entire” houses and apartments. In the absence of a register there is no way of knowing whether these are principal private residences or otherwise. The research also points to an ongoing annual 10% increase in the size of the STL sector, year on year. It is important that in such a fast-growing area, we have data on where this growth is happening.
The new Housing policy, proposed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., and approved by Government on 15 April is to generally preclude new planning permissions for STLs in cities and towns with a Census population in excess of 10,000 persons and to enable local authorities have discretion to develop policies for other locations having regard to relevant local criteria to be set out in the planning guidance. Minister Browne will set out the planning guidance for STLs in a National Planning Statement on short term letting and will progress any necessary legislative changes to implement the new Planning requirements. The National Planning Statement will be published in advance of the final enactment of the STLT Bill to provide clarity for the tourism sector.
At present, all STL properties with the exception of your principal private residence (PPR) based in rent pressure zones are required to have planning permission. If you rent out a room in your PPR, planning permission is generally not required, however if you rent out the entire PPR property for more than 90 days planning permission is necessary.
Tourism is of significant importance to the Irish economy, providing 227,000 jobs and €6 billion income to our economy in 2024. Bed and breakfasts have played a key role in welcoming visitors from around the world to Ireland for more than 50 years and this accommodation type is a unique part of the Irish tourism offering and an important part of the overall tourism accommodation ecosystem.
I am aware of the genuine concerns regarding the impacts on rural tourism and local economies, and on traditional bed and breakfasts specifically, of removing a significant cohort of properties from the STL market. However, meeting local housing need across Ireland is a critically important consideration and Government must use every lever available to assist in providing homes for our people, including returning properties to the long-term residential market.
My Department will consider the full implications for the Tourism sector as we await the publication of the National Planning Statement for STL by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
307. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his Department’s position on regarding platforms as publishers to ensure better accountability for tech companies for the content they allow on their websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34941/25]
View answerThe EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation under the remit of my Department, that introduces new obligations on providers of online intermediary services, including online social media platforms, to protect users and consumers of online services. The DSA is designed to provide better protection of fundamental rights; more control and choice over online experiences; stronger protection of children online; and expedited removal of illegal content. The regulation has applied in full since 17 February 2024.
The DSA introduces additional specific rules for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) that reach more than 10% of the 450 million consumers in Europe, in view of the elevated risks they pose for the dissemination of illegal and harmful content. The European Commission has responsibility for supervising and enforcing the obligations that apply to Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines.
The DSA maintains the existing liability exemptions established under the e-Commerce Directive for intermediary service providers. This means that these providers are not held liable for content transmitted or hosted on their platforms, provided that they are unaware the content is illegal or infringing, or they promptly remove or block access to that content once aware that it is illegal or infringing.
The DSA confirms that providers do not forfeit these liability protections by engaging in voluntary monitoring of content. However, if illegal or infringing material is identified through such monitoring, providers must act promptly to remove it in order to retain their exemption from liability. The regulation also makes clear that there is no general obligation for providers to proactively monitor content on their services.
The DSA does not define what illegal content is, this is set out in other national and European Laws. However, the DSA places an obligation on intermediary service providers to put in place notice mechanisms that allow users to notify them of the presence on their service of specific items of information that the user considers to be illegal content. Providers are then required to assess these notices in a timely, diligent, objective, and non-arbitrary manner.
Once the provider becomes aware of the presence of illegal content on its service, then the provider becomes liable for the illegal content unless it acts expeditiously to remove or to disable access to this content.
The Digital Services Act 2024 designated Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator for the DSA. An Coimisiún has powers to investigate providers in instances where they suspect they have not adhered to the aforementioned obligations. Under the DSA, an Coimisún has powers to impose fines of up to €20 million or up to a max of 6% of the provider’s turnover, whichever is greater, if they find that the provider has contravened any of these DSA obligations.
The Department supports the DSA as a balanced and proportionate framework for ensuring accountability of online platforms while safeguarding freedom of expression and innovation.
308. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the further initiatives being considered or implemented to drive tourism in the midlands region, building on the success of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35301/25]
View answerGovernment has continued to provide capital funding for tourism product development to ensure that Fáilte Ireland can support the delivery of enhanced amenities through Fáilte Ireland’s four Regional Tourism Development Strategies which includes Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Fáilte Ireland’s Regional Tourism Development Strategies 2023 – 2027 are a roadmap for the tourism industry and all stakeholders involved in tourism. The Development Strategies set out a strategic approach to unlocking the commercial potential in each region. It ensures focus on tourism development is sustainable and regenerative and that the benefits accrue to local communities and to nature.
To activate these strategies, Fáilte Ireland has established localised five-year Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These local development plans are highly collaborative in nature, involving all local stakeholders and this is reflected in the agreed action plans where ownership is assigned among the various parties.
Within Ireland's Hidden Heartlands there are two DEDPs which cover the midlands region. North Roscommon, Leitrim, and Cavan are included in the Upper Shannon, Shannon-Erne, and Border DEDP (Destination Experience Development Plan) which was launched in 2024. This plan involves cooperation between Cavan, Leitrim, and Roscommon County Councils, Waterways Ireland, local development companies, tourism businesses, and communities. It aims to leverage key assets like the River Shannon to boost tourism. This is a five-year tourism destination plan for Cavan, Leitrim and the area of Roscommon north of, and including Roscommon Town, as part of the development of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands region. It aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across the region.
Some examples of capital projects in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands are:
• Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park
• The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park
• The Beara Breifne Way
• Acres Lake water sports activity facilities
A second DEDP will cover the Mid-Shannon and Midlands region including South Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath and Offaly. A tender for development of this DEDP was launched in June 2025 and it is anticipated that the process will commence in September 2025.
Under the EU Just Transition Fund, Fáilte Ireland has been tasked with the administration of €68 million for a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026. Through this scheme, Fáilte Ireland is investing in the sustainable development of tourism in the Midlands with the aim of diversifying the regional economy by creating jobs, supporting habitats and biodiversity and sustaining communities.
There are two main elements to the overall scheme:
€38m towards the diversification of the regional economy through the sustainable development of tourism.
€30m towards the regeneration and repurposing of peatlands through the development of a network of trails.
The overall scheme is being delivered through a range of funding programmes, which will run in parallel between now and the end of 2026, as follows:
• Scheme A: Trail Network Development Scheme (delivered primarily through Bord na Mona)
• Scheme B: Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for SMEs
• Scheme C & D: Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Local Authorities and certain State Agencies
• Scheme E: Appointment of County Tourism Activators to Local Authorities
• Scheme F: Enterprise Supports Scheme
Fáilte Ireland works across the Midlands region with Private and Community SMEs as part of its EU Just Transition ambitions for the Midlands. Already in 2025, 17 projects have received almost € 2.9 million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. Evaluations of remaining applications are ongoing with further funding awards to be announced on a rolling basis over the coming weeks. This is on top of the over € 32 million in investment grants announced for regenerative tourism projects in the Midlands last summer.
309. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a comprehensive AI strategy to protect the rights and livelihoods of those working in the Irish tour guide industry will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35359/25]
View answerIreland's first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, 'AI – Here for Good' was launched in July 2021. The strategy serves as a roadmap for how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, for addressing societal challenges, and for delivering public services. It envisions a future for Ireland as an international leader in using AI to the benefit of business, public services, and most importantly for people, through a people-centred, ethical approach to AI development, adoption and use.
The Refresh of the Strategy was published in November 2024. The Refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021. Firstly, the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 precipitated a massive acceleration in the AI technologies that are available to consumers and businesses. Secondly, the EU AI Act came into force on 1 August 2024 so the parameters of the regulation of the use of AI in the EU are now clear.
The strategy sets out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place to underpin AI adoption in enterprise and public services, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and connectivity infrastructure, and policies to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the impact of AI.
AI is a horizontal technology and there are uses in every sector. It is likely that all sectors including Tourism will be disrupted or changed to some extent by AI adoption.
Tourism is of significant importance to the Irish economy, providing 227,000 jobs and €6 billion income to our economy in 2024. Tour guides play an important role in Ireland’s tourism competitiveness, enabling attractions and tour operators to offer engaging, high-quality visitor experiences.
While tour guiding is not a regulated profession with mandatory licensing in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland supports the sector to recruit tour guiding talent through a number of initiatives. Fáilte Ireland manages the Tour Guide Directory, designed to support the visibility of qualified guides, making it easier for businesses to connect with the right talent and for guides to showcase their expertise. It plays a key role in strengthening industry connections and promoting high standards across the sector. The directory features 844 active tour guides.
To support the development of tour guide training and recruitment, Fáilte Ireland participates in the Tour Guide Oversight Group, which includes sectoral representatives and education providers. The objectives of the group are to: conduct and review the professional practices and guidelines for tour guides in Ireland; provide a collaborative platform between the education providers and industry stakeholders and to share knowledge, support, trends and updates within the tourism sector.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland delivers an annual Tourist Guide Networking Seminar in partnership with the Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA) and the Association of Visitor Experiences & Attractions (AVEA) to provide a valuable platform for connecting tour guides with leading tour operators, offering direct employment opportunities for the upcoming season. The event consistently attracts approximately 140 tour guide students each year from across the country. Last year, 52 tourist guides secured employment through this event.
Fáilte Ireland also works closely with the ITOA to identify opportunities to attract targeted talent pools into the tour guiding sector. A live example of this is Fáilte Ireland connecting the ETBs offering tour guiding training across the country with the Garda Retired and the Retired Teachers' Association to generate a new pipeline of students for the upcoming academic year.
Fáilte Ireland also regularly features tour guides in its career promotion content, targeting jobseekers and students.
Tour guides emerge as one of the key in-demand roles in Fáilte Ireland’s annual labour market research with employers reporting ‘considerable difficulty’ in recruiting. According to Fáilte Ireland the difficulty in recruiting tour guides dropped from 45% in 2022 to 25% in 2023 to 17% in 2024.
Irish tourism product, including the Irish tour guide, is very well regarded and recognised for its outstanding quality and authenticity. Irish tour guides are renowned for their individuality, traditional story-telling ability and famous Irish humour. Their knowledge and ability to answer a broad range of questions make for unique tour experiences for our guests.
It is my view that there is a role for AI to enhance and complement the Irish tour guide product. It allows visitors, who would otherwise not be in the position to take a tour at all because of their schedules, itineraries or other limitations, to take unguided tours, at whatever times suit them and have an experience of Ireland. However, I think it is unlikely that it would completely replace the real life Irish tour guide and all that they can uniquely offer.
311. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the Government Departments Prompt Payment Returns report for quarter 1 of 2025 will be published by his Department; and whether any notable trends have been observed to date when compared to the quarter 1 figures from previous years. [35415/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the preparation on a quarterly basis of a report showing the performance of each Government Department in meeting their obligation to make payments for goods and services within 15 days. The report also shows the performance of each Government Department to make payments for goods and services within 30 days, after which prompt payment interest and compensation for recovery costs may become payable.
My Department provides these reports on its website after collation of the information from each Department. The publication of the Q1 2025 report was delayed due to a technical matter but is now available:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/government-departments-prompt-payment-returns-2025.html
A review of the payment performance by Government Departments in respect of all invoices paid in each of the first quarters of the last 5 years (2021 to 2025 inclusive) shows an improvement in latter years in making payments for goods and services within the required 15 days. In the first quarters of 2024 and 2025, 82% of all invoices were paid within 15 days, compared to 74% in 2021, 76% in 2022 and 69% in 2023.
The payment of invoices by Government Departments within 30 days shows little change in the first quarters of the last 5 years. The total number of invoices paid within 30 days ranged in percentage terms from 95%-97%, with the exception being 2023, when 93% of invoices paid by Government Departments were within 30 days.
The number of invoices paid by Government Departments in the first quarters of the last 5 years ranged from the lowest number of 36,642 (2021) to the highest number of 50,187 (2023).
In March, Government agreed new measures to support effective delivery of the Public Sector’s obligation to pay its bills within 15 days. Officials from my Department recently established a Prompt Payment Officer network with representation from each Government Department. This network group recently met for the first time. The programme of work will include reviewing how improvements might be made to current processes including the system of reporting.
312. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to list all the public services contracts worth €10 million or more granted by himself, the forerunner in his Department or other State bodies in the past five years; the value of each contract; the length of term of each; the expiration date of each contract; and whether any contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. [35483/25]
View answerMy Department and the offices under its aegis have not entered into any public services contracts with a value of €10 million or more in the past five years.
In respect of the agencies under my Department’s remit, please see the relevant returns below:
|
Agencies |
Year |
Name and purpose of Contract |
Value of the Contract |
The duration/term of the contract (months, years) |
The expiration date of the contract |
Whether the contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2020 |
Managed Service Solution for Print, Branded Merchandise, Design, Storage and Distribution Requirements |
€15,000,000 |
5 years with option to extend for 2 additional years |
10/09/2025 |
Additional 2 years not been utilised due to change in requirements |
|
Failte Ireland |
2020 |
Strategic Media Agency Services |
€45,000,000 |
5 years |
31/12/2025 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2020 |
B2B and B2C Strategy and Communications Services |
€20,000,000 |
5 years |
13/12/2025 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2021 |
Digital Agency for B2C |
€12,000,000 |
5 years |
16/06/2026 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2022 |
Single Party Framework Delivery of the Digital that Delivers Programme |
€25,000,000 |
4 years |
28/02/2027 |
N/A |
|
Failte Ireland |
2022 |
The provision of a Quality Employer Programme for the Tourism & Hospitality Industry |
€13,000,000 |
5 years |
14/08/2027 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2022 |
E-Communications Campaign Management Service and Contact Centre Support |
€10,000,000 |
5 years |
14/08/2028 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2023 |
Total Facilities Management |
€15,000,000 |
5 years |
30/09/2028 |
N/A |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
2023 |
New Year’s Festival Dublin |
€13,000,000 |
5 years |
25/03/2027 |
N/A |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
2024 |
Contract with Mindshare Media Ireland Limited for the Provision of Media Strategy, Planning & Buying |
€15,000,000 |
48 months |
08/04/2028 |
N/A |
IDA Ireland has requested an extension to provide a comprehensive response as it operates a devolved procurement function, and as such, there is no central repository of the information requested. IDA Ireland have indicated that they will respond to you directly on this matter on or before 14th July, 2025.
Tourism Ireland has advised that due to the scope of the question that involves reviewing multiple contracts dating back to 2020—they will require additional time to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their response. Tourism Ireland have also undertaken to provide the information directly to you by the 14th July, 2025.
313. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline protections in place for consumers regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35528/25]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) provides information and education on consumer rights and personal finance. The Deputy will understand that the CCPC cannot give legal or financial advice to individuals, however the CCPC has provided my officials with relevant consumer rights information and some suggested next steps.
The CCPC has advised that the correspondence does not include details of how the individual and the tradesperson agreed on the work or the nature of it. However, consumer law also protects consumers when they buy from a business online or over the phone.
Before the purchase is made, businesses must provide contact information, details of the service, costs, cancellation and contracts. Any service supplied must be in conformity with the service contract. This means it should comply with the terms of the contract as agreed with the consumer, comply with any description or advertisement of the service and be of a nature and quality that a consumer can reasonably expect.
In addition, traders have further obligations to consumers, in that they should have the skills necessary to provide the service and provide that service with reasonable care and skill. Any materials or goods supplied with the service must be sound and fit for purpose.
If a consumer feels that their rights have been affected and the service supplied does not match the contract, where, for example, it can be shown that the service was not carried out with reasonable care and skill, they are entitled to seek a remedy – for example, having the service brought into alignment with the contract, or a proportionate reduction in price. Traders must bring the service into conformity free of charge to the consumer, within a reasonable time and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer.
In addition, consumers may be entitled to damages, decisions on which are decided by the Courts.
Reference was made to damage to a boiler. The CCPC advise that if this relates to the installation of a gas boiler, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) should be contacted at this link: rgi.ie/support/report-an-illegal-gas-installer/
The CCPC welcomes reports about businesses that may have breached consumer rights. As while the CCPC is unable to take legal cases on behalf of individuals, the information is screened and helps inform enforcement activity. A formal complaint may be made to the CCPC at the following link: www.ccpc.ie/consumers/consumers-home/contact/report-a-consumer-protection-issue/
Lastly, where a consumer feels their rights have been affected and they would like to take legal action but the address of the business cannot be located, the CCPC suggest contacting the Courts Service Registrar - see www.courts.ie/customer-service - for more information on how to proceed. Their contact email is ccco@courts.ie.
314. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures the IDA is taking to ensure that the tenant of the Greystones Media Campus fulfils its contractual obligation to develop on the IDA land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35586/25]
View answer315. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a timeline as per the IDA contract with the tenant of the Greystones Media Campus in which it must begin development on the lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35587/25]
View answer316. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures he will take to recoup the €24 million money spent through the ISIF in the Greystones Media Campus if development is not completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35588/25]
View answer317. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the Greystones Media Campus; if the project is still planned to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35589/25]
View answer318. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the tenant of the IDA lands at the Greystones Media Campus does not fulfil its contractual obligation of development as per the contractual clause, whether the lands will be transferred back to the IDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35590/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 to 318, inclusive, together.
IDA Ireland sold a site at IDA Greystones Business Technology Park, Greystones, County Wicklow under a 999-year lease dated 21st April 2022 to Greystones Media Campus Owner Ltd. The site was sold pursuant to the IDA’s power of sale under the Industrial Development Acts. The use of the lands is restricted to manufacturing and/or internationally traded services and purposes ancillary thereto as specified in the Industrial Development (Service Industries) Order 2010.
The 999-year lease contains a development obligation on the part of the tenant and IDA Ireland remains engaged with the company regarding their proposed development of the site. Importantly, the company secured a 10-year planning permission for a film studio media campus from Wicklow County Council (Planning Ref 20620) in 2020.
IDA Ireland is not party to any funding or investment agreement with ISIF in respect of Greystones Media Campus and I have no function in this regard.
319. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following the conclusion of the Food Tourism Strategy 2018–2023, if there are plans to develop and publish a new food tourism strategy; if he will provide a year-by-year breakdown of the budget allocated to food tourism from 2019 to 2025, in tabular form; if any engagement with industry stakeholders on food tourism has taken place from 2023 to the present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35764/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government (PfG) commits to supporting and expanding our food and beverage tourism offerings and showcasing the best of local produce. I have asked my officials to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy Statement which reflects the PfG and other Government priorities. This new Policy Statement will set out how the Irish culinary experience can play an enhanced role in Ireland’s overall tourism offering.
Responsibility for tourism matters formally moved to my Department on the 1st June. I am informed that no specific budget allocation was provided for food tourism in the years referenced by the Deputy. Instead, expenditure by the tourism agencies on food tourism came under the broader expenditure headings such as tourism marketing, business supports and destination development. Fáilte Ireland continues to focus on further developing food tourism experience for the wider domestic and international visitor audience, and it will continue to be a key component of Fáilte Ireland’s Destination and Experience Development Plans. Fáilte Ireland will also continue to work with Irish based inbound agents to market and promote local food and beverage experiences.
In terms of overseas marketing, Tourism Ireland continues to elevate Ireland’s food and beverage offering in its advertising campaigns and associated activities such as TV co-productions with a specific focus on the Irish culinary experience.
With regard to industry stakeholders, since taking responsibility for tourism I have had a number of engagements with stakeholders on tourism issues including the Restaurants Association of Ireland. I am fully aware of the significance of food tourism for the tourism and hospitality sectors and look forward to ongoing engagement in the coming period as the new Policy Statement is finalised and implemented.
320. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans being made to develop a US Presidents trail on the island of Ireland. [34985/25]
View answerMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI have primary responsibility for product development on the ground and would be best placed to lead on the development of any new tourist initiative such as a proposed US Presidents Trail on the island of Ireland.
The All-Island Strategic Tourism Group (AISTG), established under the North South Ministerial Council in 2024, is co-chaired by senior officials from the Department and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy and includes the Chief Executives of the three tourism agencies - Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
The remit of the group includes identifying key areas for North/South coordination and cooperation and providing a strategic, policy-aligned approach to the development and delivery of all-island tourism initiatives.
The next meeting of the AISTG in the autumn will provide an opportunity for my Department officials to raise the proposal for consideration by this group.
