Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Ceisteanna (119)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 26 November 2020, if the flexibility under the trading online voucher scheme regarding the offering of an extension to the four-month deadline for drawdown by the local enterprise offices also applies in the Gaeltacht to Údarás na Gaeltachta; if it is intended to make further funds available to Údarás na Gaeltachta for the approval of further applications under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41926/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Trading Online Voucher Scheme managed by my Department was launched in mid-2014 and is delivered through Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. Údarás na Gaeltachta has during that time managed its own Trading Online Voucher Scheme with terms that mirror those of the Scheme managed by my Department.

In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department, at the request of the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, provided once-off support in 2020 of €0.4m for the Údarás na Gaeltachta Trading Online Voucher Scheme; with the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht providing an additional €0.2m. This funding support was agreed in respect of applications received by Údarás na Gaeltachta before 16 October 2020 for projects capable of completion before year end.  

Funding for Údaras na Gaeltachta is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.