Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2021
21. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet individually with representatives of associations (details supplied) regarding the impact of Covid-19 and the public health restrictions on the pub and restaurant sector. [29940/21]
View answerThe Government announced a new Economic Recovery Plan this week, with €3.5 billion of stimulus to fuel the economy and help businesses to recover and rebuild. Across 2020 and 2021, €38 billion was provided to help our people and businesses cope with the pandemic.
There will be a number of changes to the current financial assistance as public health restrictions unwind.
- The Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) are being extended until the end of 2021.
- The commercial rates waiver will continue in its current form during the third quarter of this year.
- The 9% VAT rate will be extended until the 1 September, 2022.
- Tax warehousing is being extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022.
- A new additional, more streamlined business assistance scheme, the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) will be introduced in September 2021 for businesses with very significantly reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions.
Work is ongoing across Government to ensure the supports which will be in place are sufficient, targeted and sustainable. The National Economic Recovery Plan charts the pathway forward for our country, not only to recover economically but to create a new, better normal.
I meet with the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association and the Restaurants Association of Ireland on an ongoing basis through the Hospitality and Tourism Forum, which I jointly chair with Minister Catherine Martin. The forum met again yesterday to discuss the reopening of the economy and the Economic Recovery Plan. In addition, Minister Donohoe, Minister Martin and I met with the LVI, the VFI, the Restaurants Association and the Irish Hotels Federation on 15 January 2021 last.
At each point of closing or re-opening of the economy due to COVID-19 I have met with a group of relevant stakeholders, including these three associations, to update them on latest Government developments and answer questions.
I am open to meeting with the associations individually if such a meeting is requested.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, may be able to provide more specific details on supports for the hospitality sector, for which she has lead responsibility.
