Paul McAuliffe
Question:272. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans for changes to the stay and spend scheme given the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36761/20]
View answerTuesday, 17 November 2020
Questions (272, 285, 290)
Róisín Shortall
Question:285. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if the stay and spend scheme can be used to reclaim moneys spent at restaurants which normally operate an eat-in service but are temporarily operating takeaway only due to Covid-19 level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37092/20]
View answer
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:290. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the consideration being given to extending the stay and spend scheme in view of the fact that with level 5 restrictions persons are not able to avail of this scheme currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36697/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272, 285 and 290 together.
The Stay and Spend scheme provides tax relief by means of a tax credit at the rate of 20% on qualifying expenditure of up to €625 per person, or €1,250 for a jointly assessed couple. The tax credit is worth a maximum of €125, or €250 for a jointly assessed couple. The purpose of the scheme is to provide targeted support to businesses within the hospitality sector whose operations are likely to be most affected by continued restrictions.
To be eligible for the relief, claimants must upload their receipts on the Revenue Receipts Tracker App for all qualifying expenditure. Qualifying expenditure refers to expenditure of more than €25 on holiday accommodation, and food and drink consumed on premises (excluding alcohol), provided by registered service providers.
The purpose of the Stay and Spend scheme is to provide targeted support to businesses within the hospitality sector whose operations are likely to be most affected by continued restrictions. Food and drink service providers that operate on a take-away basis are not expected to be as heavily affected by the current restrictions as service providers offering ‘dine-in’ food and drink services and so would not fall within the particular objectives of the scheme.
As I indicated when the scheme was launched, it was in the anticipation that the economy would be on the way to being fully open, and there would be mobility across our country. We know that this is not the case now. As I have also indicated previously, I will continue to monitor the scheme to see how it works and to assess if there are any changes that we may need to make.
As the Deputies may be aware, the legislation governing the scheme affords me the flexibility to extend the operation of the scheme beyond its current planned end date of 30 April 2021. Relevant issues in this regard may be considered in due course.