Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the additional funding that is being allocated. The Great Britain market has been particularly challenging for Ireland in the wake of Brexit. The numbers have fallen so it is a positive development that additional funding is being allocated. It is a little bit outside what we are talking about here but, in terms of the additional funding secured in the 2019 budget, has the Minister engaged with the key stakeholders to ensure that the necessary supports are put into the various regions that will be most adversely affected by the reintroduction of the 13.5% VAT rate?

Has the Minister engaged with key stakeholders to ensure the necessary supports are put in place in the various regions that will be most adversely affected by the reintroduction of the 13.5% VAT rate?