Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has again called for government programmes of support for the hospitality/tourism sector.
“Through Parliamentary Questions and in other debates in Dáil Éireann I raised with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and with the Minister for Finance the urgent need to provide adequate financial support for the tourism/hospitality sector. This sector is a major source of employment in areas like Cavan/Monaghan.
For well over 20 years there has been a very welcome and major investment in the tourism product in Cavan/Monaghan. It has enabled a substantial increase in visitors to the area, provides additional attractions and amenities for local residents as well and creates very valuable employment.
The tourism/hospitality sector has been very adversely affected by the covid-19 pandemic and it is clear that it will take a considerable time to grow this business again.
Government support programmes must be put in place without delay and financial assistance needs to be made available to all parts of the industry” stated Brendan Smith TD.
REPLY FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, TOURISM AND SPORT TO A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION I TABLED IN DÁIL ÉIREANN –
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For Written Answer on : 09/06/2020
Question Number(s): 592 Question Reference(s): 10408/20
Department: Transport, Tourism and Sport
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the outcome of discussions he has had with representatives of the tourism and hospitality sector; the support programmes that will be put in place to assist the sector through the difficulties that have arisen due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Minister Ross and I have appointed a Tourism Recovery Taskforce to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023.
It is envisaged that the Taskforce will establish working groups to carry out specific tasks and that the Taskforce will undertake a widespread stakeholder consultation process whereby all sectors and interested parties will have an opportunity to provide constructive inputs and innovative ideas on how this vital sector to our economy can adapt and recover in a meaningful and sustainable way. The Taskforce will report back later this year.
My Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs. The measures put in place by the Government to support businesses initially focused on supporting those who have lost their jobs and in supporting businesses to remain viable during this difficult time with specifically targeted supports to assist companies to stay operational and retain their staff.
As a result, many tourism businesses are now availing the various cross-sectoral economic supports that the Government has already put in place such as; the wage subsidy scheme, increased unemployment benefits, the state credit guarantee scheme, working capital loan schemes, enterprise support schemes and deferrals of tax liabilities, VAT, social contributions and local authority rates.
Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.
Fáilte Ireland has set up a COVID-19 Industry Advisory Group which meets weekly. The purpose of this group is to provide support to the tourism industry and to facilitate the timely sharing of information and insights to help improve the sector’s understanding and response to the crisis. Fáilte Ireland has also developed a COVID-19 Business Support Hub which offers a suite of targeted supports for tourism businesses including a series of webinars from experts in each field, as well as advice guides with detailed FAQs and templates where necessary.
To assist tourism businesses reopening in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, Fáilte Ireland has today [Tuesday 9 June 2020] published guidelines for the tourism sector, prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities. These guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice.