Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
299. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the stay and spend scheme beyond April 2021; the alternative options being considered to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21596/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will recall that last week, in response to a question from him along similar lines, I provided an answer to the first part of his query. As noted by him, the Stay and Spend Tax Credit scheme is scheduled to terminate at the end of this month. While I am very mindful of the significant difficulties that remain to be faced by the hospitality sector, I have made the point previously that the broad interests of taxpayers also need to be taken into account and that these may not be best served by extending the scheme over the summer months in circumstances where we will all be staying at home and hopefully holidaying in Ireland. This is particularly the case when other very significant support measures will remain in place. Taking these factors into account, it may be more appropriate to take stock again in a number of months' time and assess if the position needs to be reconsidered at that point.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, my Department is not examining any alternative to the Stay and Spend Tax Credit Scheme at the present time.
