Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
452. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if compensation schemes are being worked out to support tourism auxiliary businesses and leisure activity and amenity providers in tourist areas who will likely lose out due to the absence of tourism sufficient accommodation when compared to previous years. [1699/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe supply of tourism accommodation in 2023 due to a range of factors, including Ireland's response to the current humanitarian emergency, is of concern and my officials are engaging with a number of Departments in this regard, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which is working urgently across Government with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can be met. Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine and we are honouring our commitment to help people who have been displaced by this horrendous war. This is by some distance the largest humanitarian operation ever undertaken by the Irish State and tourism accommodation has played a vital part in this national response.
While there are no specific plans at this moment for compensation schemes in the wider tourism ecosystem, the Government is monitoring the impact of the humanitarian response on the tourism sector, and I have secured continued additional funding for tourism in Budget 2023 totalling €30 million. Of this, €15 million was secured for overseas marketing of Ireland and the development of The Invitation project. As global competition heightens, sustaining extensive marketing campaigns will be vital to support the on-going recovery effort, building on the initial inbound tourism demand seen in 2022. Ensuring the resilience and growth of this demand is vital to the industry, to jobs and to communities right across the island of Ireland.
Domestically, an additional €15 million will underpin a range of measures to support the sector including boosting the industry’s recruitment and retention efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives and establishment of a register of short-term letting properties as part of the Government’s “Housing for All” reforms.
