Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
87. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to publish specific guidelines for the reopening of pubs; when he last met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied); the supports available to pubs which have been unable to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18925/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s pubs are a valued part of the nation’s tourism industry and Fáilte Ireland is on hand to help the sector to successfully navigate a smooth return to business.
For pub owners planning to resume trading in Phase 4 of our Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, now is the time to put essential strategies in place to deal with the challenges to come. There are many factors for pubs to consider when preparing to re-open – from practical health and safety concerns to effective marketing and communication plans.
Fáilte Ireland’s suite of supports have been specifically tailored towards the bar sector, to ensure businesses can prepare to reopen safely. Fáilte Ireland provides a range of guidance on health and safety, financial recovery, marketing advice and more, with all resources updated constantly. Fáilte Ireland has consulted the industry to develop this set of detailed and practical guidelines to prepare pubs to re-open safely. All of the principles in these guidelines are underpinned by advice made available from the HSA, HSE, FSAI, WHO?and other?relevant bodies.
The Fáilte Ireland operational guidelines for reopening of pubs are available on its website at: https://covid19.failteireland.ie/business-supports/business-reopening/pubs/guidelines-for-re-opening/ . These guidelines will be regularly updated in line with Government public health advice as and when this advice evolves.?
The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a useful guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers and employees the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues to operate. The Protocol is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.html . It operates in parallel with existing workplace health and safety statutory requirements and will assist employers to carry out a full risk assessment in relation to their business operations.
The Health and Safety Authority, which is an agency of my Department, is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie .
The Health and Safety Authority has also developed a range of checklists and templates which are available on its website (www.hsa.ie ) for use by employers, workers and worker representatives, and further material is being developed.
While the lead engagement with the pub sector is through Fáilte Ireland and the Minister for Tourism, my predecessor as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, T.D. met with the representative bodies for the sector, as has the Secretary General of my Department, and the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, T.D., who met representatives of the sector on 16 July last.
On Thursday 23 July last we announced the July Stimulus Package, a substantial financial package to stimulate our economy worth more than €5 billion, with an additional €2 billion in loan guarantees. It is bigger in scale than most budgets and will be deployed at speed.
The July Stimulus package is designed to help businesses to open, to help those that are already open to stay open, to get staff back to work and for those who cannot go back to their old jobs, there are new opportunities. These new measures are in addition to those already announced since the onset of the Global Pandemic that were open to those in the hospitality and pub sectors including the Temporary Wage Subsidy, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers.
Significantly for the hospitality and pub sector to support viable businesses and jobs, including new hires, we have extended the wage subsidy scheme, which will run until the end of March 2021 and will be open to firms that do not currently participate and will be open to workers like seasonal workers, who were not previously included. We are also giving companies extra assistance to reopen and stay open through an enhanced Restart grant which is available to more firms and is more generous. We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. We have also announced a six month reduction in VAT from 23% to 21%, together with a range of additional measures designed to stimulate domestic demand. Businesses affected by COVID-19 will able to delay payment of their PAYE and VAT debts in part of in full for a set period with no interest or penalties
Furthermore, to assist the badly impacted hospitality and tourism sectors, a new Stay and Spend Incentive will see any taxpayer spending over €625, on accommodation, food and non-alcoholic drinks, between October 2020 and April 2021, able to claim back €125 through a tax credit. It is anticipated that whilst these hospitality supports are not directly targeted at the on-trade drinks sector, a boost to the hospitality sector in general will have spill over benefits for pubs.
Further information on these, along with the full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus .
I have underlined that in developing the stimulus package, we must look ahead to ensuring economic recovery. The National Economic Plan, to be developed in parallel with the next Budget, will be crucial in this respect. It will go beyond the issue of business supports and set out a range of actions to be developed across Government to realise economic recovery.
