Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
372. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what supports she has provided for SMEs, particularly in the small accommodation sector, including self-catering, caravan, camping and B&B; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6414/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and supporting the tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland - which implement national policy. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
Beyond the supports offered by Fáilte Ireland to the small accommodation sector on foot of the funding that I secure for the agency, it is also worth pointing to the Increased Costs of Business Scheme introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment which will be of direct benefit to a wide range of businesses within the tourism sector. This initiative embodies a whole of Government approach to assisting small and medium sized businesses and will provide support to qualifying firms in recognition of the ongoing cost challenges faced by businesses.
Another significant support to SMEs is the recent announcement by the Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath, of significant changes to the Tax Debt Warehousing scheme with a reduction in the interest rate applying to warehoused tax debt to 0%.
