Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
73. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to support the tourism sector, which was disproportionately negatively impacted by the pandemic. [47941/21]
View answerIn the Economic Recovery Plan published earlier this year the Government confirmed its commitment to provide supports for the sectors worst affected, including tourism. Tourism businesses have benefited from the VAT rate reduction and other economy wide measures such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the commercial rates waiver.
In Budget 2021 I secured a record level of funding of just under €221m for tourism, including €55 million for Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Business Continuity Scheme to help tourism businesses. This provided a direct financial contribution to support business continuity plans and contribute towards fixed costs.
Supports provided in 2020 included the €26m Covid-19 Adaptation Grant, the €10m Coach Tourism Operators Business Continuity Scheme and the €10m Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme. Fáilte Ireland also administered the €8m Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, published and updated reopening operational guidelines for a range of tourism businesses, as well as introducing the Covid-19 Safety Charter.
Earlier this year I was pleased to announce Fáilte Ireland’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, which has facilitated? greater capacity in? outdoor dining? by supporting Local Authorities and hospitality businesses with?upgrading and enhancing streets and public spaces and implementing weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining.?
Informed by the recommendations in the latest report from the Recovery Oversight Group, and in the context of Budget 2022, I am working with officials and Government colleagues to establish what further supports can be put in place for the tourism sector.
