Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
190. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he plans to engage with representatives from an organisation (details supplied); if he will ensure the right environment is in place for this sector and the broader tourism industry to guarantee it can deliver to its full potential in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7134/22]
View answerAn Tánaiste and Minister Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media jointly chair the Hospitality and Tourism Forum, organised by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media. The Forum meets regularly and provides opportunities for ongoing engagement with the organisations mentioned by the Deputy.
Following the easing of restrictions, the Government announced some amendments to horizontal supports including:
- That reduced levels of Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), due to commence on 1 February, will be delayed by a month for eligible businesses that were directly impacted by the public health restrictions introduced in December 2021.
- The EWSS which was planned to cease on April 30th will be extended by one additional month for those eligible businesses directly impacted by the December public health restrictions.
- A restart payment of one week’s support will be paid to Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) recipients to assist re-opening.
- The tax debt warehousing scheme to provide liquidity support to businesses impacted by the December public health restrictions has been extended by 4 months until 30 April 2022.
- The PUP will close for new applications from the 22 January. Anyone remaining on PUP will move to a weekly rate of €208 with effect from payments made on 8 March. After that, remaining PUP recipients will start transitioning to standard jobseeker terms, and if eligible, will move onto a jobseekers payment with effect from payments on 5 April.
Government continues to carefully consider any additional measures required to addresses key priorities for business survival and recovery. In relation to hospitality sector specific supports my colleague, Minister Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media may be able to assist further. In addition, the role of Fáilte Ireland, as the National Tourism Development Authority (www.failteireland.ie), is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Fáilte Ireland works in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks, investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals.?Fáilte Ireland also provides consumer and buyer insights, mentoring, business supports and training programmes and buyer platforms to help tourism businesses innovate and grow.
Fáilte Ireland's work programme for the year ahead will include focus on supporting recruitment to drive recovery, supporting the long-term repositioning of the industry and building employee capability and skills
Officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media participate in the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Most recently the work of the Group resulted in a quota of up to 350 employment permits being granted for four managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses. The prospective employee is required to hold a relevant third level qualification and have at least five years experience in the industry in order to be considered eligible. Following a change at the end of 2019 all grades of chef are eligible for the General Employment Permit.
