Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
352. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for the exclusion of marine tourism from all Covid-19 aid schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe July Stimulus and Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors including the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as well as the ReStart grants and tax warehousing provisions. With specific regard to supports in the tourism sector and for those working in marine tourism, Fáilte Ireland's Covid-19 Adaptation Fund, which was open from August to December 2020, was open to cruise hire companies and to boat tour operators.
Most recently, Fáilte Ireland launched the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme which will provide support to providers of?certain?tourism services. This includes cruise hire companies and tourism boat tour operators, who have been unable to qualify for assistance under the CRSS. It is designed to help?these?tourism businesses offset their fixed costs incurred last year and support them to continue operating through 2021.??
