Boost business with quality assurance

Statutory  National Quality Assurance Framework

In this section

Renewals

You will receive notification when it's time to renew your quality assurance.

If you don't renew you will lose your quality-approved status and be removed from Discover Ireland listings.

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Who to contact

We sub-contract statutory accommodation assessment to Tourist Accommodation Management Services Ltd (TAMS). Tel: (01) 6179292

TAMS will provide more details on how to apply or renew.

Statutory National Quality Assurance Framework

We've developed our National Quality Assurance Framework to provide consumers with a guaranteed level of service in accommodation establishments that meet nationally recognised standards.

The following accommodation businesses are required to achieve certain minimum standards by law

Statutory Tourism Sectors
• Hotels • Holiday camps
• Guesthouses • Hostels
• Caravan and camp sites
• Self catering accommodation (registered group framework, in excess of 7 units on one site)
 

Benefits of quality approval for your business


As an approved operator, you receive guaranteed access to a minimum of €1,000 worth of our services and support, including:

  • Quality rating – An independent assessor will give your business a quality rating which you can advertise with official certificates and stickers, and through use of the caption "Approved to Fáilte Ireland Standards" and the quality assurance logo in print and online promotions.

  • Access to over 2.7 million potential Irish  visitors per year via Discover Ireland - you can promote your business as a quality-approved operator, searchable via specialised search filters of 'Approved' or star rating (if applicable), on www.discoverireland.ie.

  • Access to over 12 million potential international visitors annually, in 47 different countries and 19 different languages via Tourism Ireland -  you can promote your business as a quality-approved operator, searchable via star rating (if applicable), on www.discoverireland.com.

  • Promotion in tourist offices – quality approved businesses are promoted through the Tourist Information Office Network around the country.

  • Trade show participation – your business will be eligible to participate at domestic and international trade and consumer shows through www.promotionsireland.ie.

Procedures:

The operator will initially complete an assessment form for their particular classification. This will then be verified by Fáilte Ireland’s subcontractors following a visit to the premises and only then can a classification be awarded.

If required, there is an appeal procedure, with the decision of the Appeal Board being final. However, as the rating and scoring procedure is  objective and transparent, it is not envisaged that there will be many appeals.

Every application will be processed within a maximum timeframe of three months. All new applications will be acknowledged within one month of receipt. Where an application is incomplete,  applicants will be notified within one month of any additional documentation or legislative requirements.

Where a request for approval has been rejected by Fáilte Ireland, the applicant will be notified within one month of the decision being taken.

Mandatory timescales will run only from the time when all valid documentation has been submitted.

Tourist Traffic Act 1939 - 2003 [pdf, 1MB]

Under Irish law, Fáilte Ireland has certain responsibilities in relation to the registration and grading of Irish tourist accommodation.

The Tourist Traffic Act details our role in quality assurance.

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