Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.

David Stanton

Question:

145 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue which he estimates has been paid to the State each year in the respective categories, directly and indirectly, due to activities relating to the tourist industry; his estimation of the amount of revenue which would accrue in the current year in the same categories; his plans to introduce a support package for the tourism industry in view of the foot and mouth crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16269/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as activities relating to the tourist industry form part of the services provided across a broad range of economic activities it would not be possible to separately identify the amounts of tax and PRSI paid in respect of tourism alone.

However, the Central Statistics Office has provisionally estimated that the total international tourism and travel earnings to the economy in 2000 amounted to £2,901 million.

Funds have been made available to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation to assist Bord Fáilte Éireann in an overseas marketing campaign in response to the difficulties experienced as a result of the foot and mouth crisis. I do not, however, see it as appropriate to introduce particular compensation measures for all sectors and individuals whose activities have been affected by the foot and mouth crisis.

I should add that in so far as cash flow problems arise for individual businesses, the Revenue Commissioners do, as part of normal arrangements, look sympathetically at payment arrangements on a case by case basis.