Youth Hostels

Procedures required for operating Youth Hostels

It is a requirement under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, that all Youth Hostels must be registered with Fáilte Ireland and comply with certain criteria. This system requires all Youth Hostels to meet a minimum set of requirements in order to be approved and registered with Fáilte Ireland.

At present, in order to become registered as a youth hostel, your business must be under the direct management and control of a non-profit organisation or association whose primary object is the provision and management of youth hostels.

There should be space for a minimum of 20 guests, and the premises must contain sleeping, dining and lounge accommodation, as well a toilet, bathing facilities and either a serviced or self catering kitchen.

Please find the link to Fáilte Ireland’s website here.

Other procedures required

Other procedures providers of youth hostel accommodation services may have to comply with include the following:

• Planning legislation, fire safety, and local building regulations
• Food legislation
• Health and Safety

The relevant competent authorities dealing with those areas are :

• The Relevant Local Authority, (Planning and Building requirements)
• The Environmental Health Office of the HSE (Operating a Food business)
• and the Health and Safety Authority (Health and Safety regulations)

Further information

The following competent authorities websites also provide general information relevant to operating youth hostels in Ireland.

• Health & Safety guide for catering and hospitality
• Building Regulations - Gov.ie
• Fáilte Ireland Registration Regulations for Holiday and Youth Hostels

_{The above is for general information purposes only. All further queries regarding this information should be directed to the competent authorities listed.}