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FAQs

We know you may have lots of questions about the Fáilte Ireland Access for Success Initiative, how it works, and how it might help to navigate your accessible and inclusive tourism experience.

These FAQs are designed to help you find answers to the most common questions which arise.

  • 1. Who can apply?

  • This initiative is designed for hotels, visitor attractions and activity providers, operating in Ireland.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Visitor-Facing Facility: The business must operate a physical, visitor-facing facility that can be audited (e.g., an attraction, venue, or accommodation).
    • Staffing Capacity: The business must employ 10 or more staff members and have the capacity to designate one employee as the initiative lead.
    • Visitor Attractions & Activity Providers: If the business is an attraction or activity provider, it must welcome 25,000 or more visitors annually.
    • Hotels: If the business is a hotel, it must be registered under Fáilte Ireland’s National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) Statutory Accommodation Provider.

  • 2. What is Fáilte Ireland’s Access for Success Initiative?

  • This initiative helps hotels, attractions and activities to improve accessibility and inclusion within their business and provide reliable accessibility information for visitors with disabilities, older people, and people of all personal circumstances. To learn more about this initiative download the prospectus If you require the prospectus in an alternative format, please email inclusivetourismteam@failteireland.ie

  • 3. Is there a cost to participate?

  • Recognising the vital role of the Irish tourism industry in enhancing Ireland as an accessible and inclusive destination, Fáilte Ireland is co-funding 70% of this initiative costs.

    • Cost per hotel: €600 or €900 incl. VAT, size dependent.
    • Cost per Visitor Attraction or Activity Provider: €600 incl. VAT
    Payment terms: Fees are payable in advance of the initiative start date. Places are limited - sign up early to avoid disappointment.

    Please be advised that this support is considered to be subject to State Aid rules and is given under the De Minimis Regulation. Eligibility is contingent upon successfully meeting all applicable De Minimis Regulation compliance requirements

  • 4. What do I need to know about State Aid funding before I apply?

  • The funding under this Initiative is being provided under the De Minimis Aid Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 which allows a single undertaking up to €300,000 in aid over any rolling three-year period. There is an Eligibility check required. Applicant businesses to this initiative must be able to confirm by declaration they have not received or are an active applicant for De Minimis Support to the cumulative value of €300,000 within the last 36 months including this initiative value.

    This information will be entered on a central EU De Minimis State Aid register operated by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment from 1 January 2026, which records De Minimis supports provided to businesses in line with EU transparency rules. Further details on De Minimis funding can be found in the Fáilte Ireland State aid handbook
    Eligible applicants will be contacted by Fáilte Ireland’s Inclusive Tourism Team to complete the De Minimis State Aid self-declaration form on the Fáilte Ireland Trade Portal.
     
    If your business is part of a group of companies please note that the €300,000 limit applies to the group and not to each entity in the group.

  • 5. Why should my business participate?

    • Boost your bookings by attracting more guests/visitors, growing demand and strengthening commercial performance.
    • Improve guest satisfaction, visitor experiences and reviews.
    • Stay ahead of accessibility regulations.
    • Enhance your reputation as an inclusive business, leading to an expanded market.

  • 6. I’m unsure about the level of change my business can commit to?

  • The purpose of this initiative is to guide businesses in understanding their current accessibility provisions and using that knowledge to develop an Access Welcome Guide bespoke to your business so that your visitors have reliable accessibility information before making a booking or planning a trip. This is a low-cost solution and over time your business can use the learnings from your access audit to implement an accessibility improvement plan. Ongoing guidance and support will be available to you on this journey.

  • 7. What are the key steps?

    1. Sign Up – Register here
    2. Assess – Complete the self-assessment accessibility audit.
    3. Discover – Attend online access and inclusion training.
    4. Inform – Develop and share your business' Access Welcome Guide.
    5. Sustain – Commit to ongoing improvements.

  • 8. What will my business receive?

    • A detailed accessibility audit and recommendations.
    • Staff training to help to deliver a high-quality inclusive customer service experience.
    • Marketing support to promote your accessibility efforts

  • 9. Do I need to make expensive renovations?

  • The purpose of this initiative is to guide businesses in understanding their current accessibility provisions and using that knowledge to develop an Access Welcome Guide for your business. This is a low/no cost solution and over time your business can use the learnings from your access audit to implement an accessibility improvement plan. Many improvements may involve simple changes like better signage, clearer online information, and staff training.

  • 10. I have already implemented some accessibility measures; can I still apply to this initiative?

  • Yes, we welcome businesses at any stage of their accessibility journey, whether you are starting out, or looking to build upon changes you have already made.

  • 11. When does the initiative start and how long does it last?

  • The Expression of interest is open from February 16th – 12pm noon March 6th, 2026.

    The initiative will then run for a 10 month period until December 2026.

  • 12. How can I sign up?

  • This initiative is now closed. Please see our Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Business Support Hub for other Access and Inclusion Resources

  • 13. Can you provide an alternative format for downloading the prospectus?

  • If you require the prospectus in an alternative format, please email inclusivetourismteam@failteireland.ie