186. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports he is considering to assist with the development of hotels in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45438/26]

This Government recognises the vital role that tourism plays in Ireland’s economy and in sustaining vibrant communities across the country. A strong, sustainable and regionally balanced accommodation sector is fundamental to maintaining a competitive and resilient tourism offering. The availability and quality of accommodation are central to the visitor experience, perceptions of value for money, and the overall strength of the tourism ecosystem, supporting businesses of all sizes.

The forthcoming Tourist Accommodation Strategy, a key commitment under A New Era for Irish Tourism, will provide a clear framework to strengthen, diversify and expand Ireland’s accommodation base. This will be achieved both through optimising the use of existing infrastructure and facilitating appropriate new development.

The Strategy will seek to improve access to tourist accommodation across a range of price points, support development in areas with untapped tourism potential, and promote balanced regional growth that delivers sustainable, year-round economic benefits.

In developing the Strategy, a public consultation was held between 27 April and 29 May 2026, that invited contributions from members of the public, industry stakeholders and other interested parties. A total of 299 submissions were received, and officials in my Department are currently analysing these responses with a view to publishing a summary report. The insights gathered will help inform the development of a strategy aimed at ensuring that Ireland has a sufficient supply of diverse and appropriately dispersed high-quality accommodation to meet future demand.

The Strategy will also examine measures to address seasonal demand pressures, strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness as a tourism destination, and support positive outcomes for local communities. In addition, it will consider the contribution of tourist accommodation to realising environmental and climate objectives, as well as its role in supporting business travel, events and other non-leisure tourism activities.