FAQs

The National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) is an umbrella term used to capture the statutory and non-statutory tourist accommodation registers that are managed by Fáilte Ireland. The statutory registers contain all tourist accommodation in Ireland that are using a prescribed term (e.g. Hotel or Guesthouse), and the non-statutory registers which are voluntary schemes where the proprietor chooses to become quality approved under the NQAF.

The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework was developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place. The framework was also designed to maintain and develop standards across the tourism accommodation industry and to support the development of individual tourism accommodation operators.

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts (1939-2016) businesses which use certain prescribed terms to describe themselves must register with Fáilte Ireland. These are known as the Statutory Accommodation sectors, which include:

• Hotels
• Guest houses
• Holiday Hostels
• Youth Hostels
• Caravan & Camping Parks
• Self-Catering
• Holiday Camp

• Unless you are registered, you may not use a prescribed term under the Tourism Traffic Acts in the premises name or to describe your business.
• You may not promote or advertise your business as a Hotel / Guesthouse, etc.
• It may affect your Hotel Liquor Licence, as the National Excise Licence Office may request a Fáilte Ireland Certificate of Registration before issuing your licence.

• B&Bs
• Historic Houses
• Self-Catering
• Fáilte Ireland’s Welcome Standard

There are numerous benefits of approval such as access to a wide range of business development tools and resources, inclusion on the Fáilte Ireland suite of websites, and much more.
For further information, see Interested in Becoming Quality Assured.

An assessment visit assesses the property against prescribed regulations and relevant classification criteria in the statutory accommodation sectors and the minimum requirements and classification criteria in non-statutory sectors. These assessments are conducted at your premises by experienced assessors and provide the opportunity for you to benchmark your business in relation to quality and industry standards, and local competition.

Assessments take place every 1 or 2 years depending on the property type:
 

All applications/renewals must be made via our online Trade Portal.

• Copy of Planning Permission.
• Copy of the Certificate of Compliance in relation to the planning permission granted and the building regulations, including all current legislation (must be dated within 6 months of the application).
• Copy of the Fire Safety Certificate.
• Evidence that the premises have been inspected by the HSE and are in compliance with food safety regulations (if serving food).
• Public Liability Insurance may be required.

Site Assessment: Once all required documentation has been received and verified, a site assessment is scheduled. An overnight assessment is required for new hotel applications.

Post-Assessment Actions: There may be actions to complete following the assessment. An agreed period will be given to operators to complete these actions.

Committee Review: When all actions from the assessment have been completed, the application for registration is brought to the Fáilte Ireland Registration Committee for review. These meetings are scheduled at various intervals during the year.

Approval and Fee Payment: If the Committee approves the registration, the proprietor is required to pay the Initial Registration Fee.

Official Registration: Once this fee has been received, the property is officially registered, and the Registration Certificate can be issued. Once a property is registered, its listing can be included on Discover Ireland.

Timeframe: The full process can take at least three months to complete, depending on various factors such as the provision and verification of documentation.

Each year you must renew your approval/registration with Fáilte Ireland. You will receive a renewal notification reminder from our dedicated service provider which will contain the renewal deadline date.

Failure to renew your business will result in your business losing its approval within the National Quality Assurance Framework and you will no longer be able to avail of the benefits of approval with Fáilte Ireland.

For details of accommodation approval and renewal fee see the Application and Renewal Fee Schedule below.

In order to re-classify you must request a reclassification assessment by contacting qualityassurance@failteireland.ie

If your business was previously approved/registered with Fáilte Ireland and you wish to re-join the National Quality Assurance Framework you can complete a new application via the Trade Portal

Our dedicated customer support team is available to answer any questions you may have in relation to the National Quality Assurance Framework.
They can be contacted at:
Phone: 0818 88 88 00
Email: qualityassurance@failteireland.ie