Our 4 Step Application Process
1Step 1 - Minimum requirements Back to top
There are four levels of classification ranging from one to four stars in the self-catering sector. All Self-Catering Holiday Cottages Group Classification Scheme members must attain the one-star minimum entry level requirements in order to comply with the Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Self-Catering Cottages 2007 (PDF, 115kb).
To obtain a higher star rating, a progressively higher quality and range of services and physical facilities must be provided across all areas. All two-star, three-star and four-star properties will also have the option to score a number of points from a menu of optional facilities and services.
Review the supporting documentation below to familiarise yourself with the registration process and to determine the rating for which you’d like to be assessed.
Fill out the appropriate assessment form and work through the service facilities, ticking what is and what isn’t available.
Complete, sign, date and return the form.
Tourist Accommodation Management Services Ltd (TAMS)
56 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 6179292
Fax: (01) 6179553
Email: info@tams.ie
One of our assessors will visit your establishment to check that the facility and services are present and compliant with our minimum standards for the appropriate star rating.
The assessment is divided up into “quality areas” that represent aspects of the business that contribute to the quality of the guest experience. Each quality area contains a series of minimum requirements.
The Quality Assessor (QA) will carry out an objective, qualitative assessment of every aspect of your business, from the condition of the building itself, the furniture, furnishings etc to the services offered to the guests. Essentially, a numerical score is given to every aspect assessed and that score equates to a quality level description.
Fáilte Ireland sub-contracts hotel registration assessment and classification functions to Tourist Accommodation Management Services Ltd (TAMS), who are responsible for inspecting and recommending approval for properties under the scheme
Disclaimer:
For purposes of clarity and transparency, the operator will initially complete an assessment form for their particular classification. This will then be verified by Fáilte Ireland’s contractors following a visit to the premises and only then can a classification be awarded. An appeal procedure will also be put in place, with the decision of the Appeal Board being final. However, as the rating and scoring procedure will be demonstrably objective and transparent, it is not envisaged that a substantial demand for appeals will emerge.
Our contractors have undertaken to process every application within a maximum timeframe of three months. All new applications will be acknowledged within one month of receipt. Where an application is incomplete, our contractors have undertaken to notify applicants within one month of any additional documentation or legislative requirements.
Where a request for approval has been rejected by the Authority, our contractors have undertaken to notify the applicant within one month of the decision being taken.
Mandatory timescales will run only from the time when all valid documentation has been submitted
Once your application is approved, your self-catering cottages property group is registered under the Self-Catering Holiday Cottages Group Classification Scheme and awarded its star rating.
Quality assurance certificates are valid for an initial 1-year period and must be renewed annually.
Quality-approved signs are part of our national 'Follow the Shamrock' customer awareness campaign to help promote quality assurance awards and include:
- Exterior signs and plaques
- Window stickers
- Bromides / .jpeg format images for use on web and printed promotional material
We also endeavour to assist quality-approved businesses to maintain and exceed the required standards through a range of
business advice and support programmes customised for and only available to tourism enterprises registered with Fáilte Ireland.
Termination:
When a property, for whatever reason, ceases to participate in a Fáilte Ireland quality assurance scheme, all relevant display signs, print material, web content, and support programme membership will be removed.