Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2021

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Ceisteanna (105)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

105. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans from a tourism perspective and in conjunction with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a clear detailed roadmap for the reopening of the hotel and hospitality sector; her views on ensuring that moratoria are in place for tourism businesses and that funding schemes are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26678/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Decisions on COVID-19 public health measures are the responsibility of Government and are made by Cabinet, on foot of advice from NPHET and the Minister for Health. In line with the plan set out in The Path Ahead the Government has been implementing a limited phased easing of some restrictions through the month of May. Later this month, the Government will make further decisions which should allow for the continued phased reopening of tourism and hospitality for the critical summer season, as the public health situation permits.

I am committed to supporting tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. In this regard, the Government will soon be publishing a National Economic Recovery Plan outlining how we will help people return to work and support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Government will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.