Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2023
100. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions taken to support and strengthen the tourism sector since 27 June 2020; the priorities for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55615/23]
View answerThe Government has provided a wide range of supports to the tourism sector to help it through the worst of the Covid-19 crisis and the continuing recovery of the sector today attests to strong collaboration between the sector, Government, the tourism agencies, and other key stakeholders.
A wide range of tourism businesses have benefitted from the support of the following schemes:
• Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme
• Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme,
• COVID-19 Adaptation Fund,
• Outdoor Dining Scheme
• Urban Animation Capital Investment Scheme
• Two Tourism Business Continuity Schemes
• Restart Grant Plus Scheme for B and Bs.
This is in addition to a number of horizontal supports which were of particular assistance to the sector such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and Debt Warehousing.
Of particular benefit to the sector was the temporary reduction of the applicable VAT rate to 9% rate from 1 November 2020 until 1 September 2023.
In 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. 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 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. My officials and Fáilte Ireland are engaging intensively on this and I hope to see the details of this scheme finalised and published soon.
I am also progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. While I want to see the tourism sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ultimately ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices.
Initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed earlier this year, and I will shortly launch a public consultation to give the public the chance to have their say. I hope to have the new policy framework itself finalised in the first quarter of next year.
