Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
60. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline what measures were included in Budget 2024 to support tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45754/23]
View answerIn Budget 2024 I secured funding of €216 million to continue the support for tourism development at home and amongst overseas visitors; whilst supporting continued recovery in the sector.
I maintained additional funding of €10 million for overseas marketing of Ireland as a leading holiday destination. Sustaining marketing campaigns at current levels will be crucial to ensure Ireland’s share of voice is maintained for longer-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
As part of the Budget settlement that I have secured for tourism in 2024, up to €10 million has been identified for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall to activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement.
This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
I have also asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and to report back to me on options and recommendations in four weeks’ time. A strong evidence-base will be critical in this regard and I have asked the tourism sector, particularly activities and attractions, to engage with Fáilte Ireland in order to provide direct and verifiable evidence of how tourism accommodation stock displacement has negatively impacted on their businesses.
While the precise breakdown of the €10 million funding I have secured to support downstream tourism businesses will not be finalised until I have received Fáilte’s report, I will be ring-fencing specific funding to Fáilte Ireland for sustainable tourism development to help tourism businesses improve their energy efficiency. This investment will help businesses to reduce overheads and dependency on fossil fuels while supporting the sector in the delivery of its climate targets by reducing carbon emissions.
I am very aware of the challenges businesses are facing and Government is supporting businesses through measures such as the Increased Costs of Business Scheme introduced by my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I understand the aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to small and medium sized businesses which have been most impacted by additional business costs, by providing a tiered grant equivalent to up to half business rates for this year.
As Minister for Tourism, I have worked hard to help bring the sector through the worst of the Covid crisis and the recovery of the sector today is testament to the collaborative approach I have taken with the tourism agencies, the sector itself and key stakeholders.
