With the further re-opening of the tourism/hospitality sector it is essential that adequate government support is provided to assist this sector through the many challenges that lie ahead.
Tourism and hospitality are a key provider of jobs in every region of the country. With limited visitors to our country this year this sector will be very dependent on the domestic tourism market. Holidays at home will be of the utmost importance to assist this industry to a business recovery.
Below are replies by the Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister to further Parliamentary Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann –
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For Written Answer on : 23/06/2020
Question Number(s): 647 Question Reference(s): 12470/20
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 specific financial programmes that will be introduced to assist the tourism and hospitality sector through the present difficulties due to Covid-19 and the future challenges in rebuilding such businesses, taking into account the importance of the sector for employment and the economy in each region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The Deputy will be aware from the reply to a previous similar PQ 11361/2020 of the financial supports currently available to tourism businesses.
As outlined in the response, Minister Ross and I have appointed a Tourism Recovery Taskforce. The Tourism Recovery Task Force continues to meet on a regular basis. The taskforce will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for this vital sector to our economy so that it can adapt and recover in a meaningful and sustainable way for the period 2020-2023.
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For Written Answer on : 16/06/2020
Question Number(s): 878 Question Reference(s): 11361/20
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 specific financial programmes that will be introduced to assist the tourism and hospitality sector through the difficulties due to Covid-19 taking into account the importance of the sector for employment and the economy in each region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
I am acutely aware that tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in the current crisis. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism globally has been overwhelming and immediate with unprecedented consequences for Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sector. The sector is a significant employer particularly in rural areas.
Many tourism businesses are currently availing the various cross-sectoral economic supports that the Government has already put in place. 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.
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.