Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The economy in Kerry and along the Wild Atlantic Way has been destroyed by Covid-19. Disadvantaged by peripherality, Kerry is more dependent on tourism than any other county. In every category of the Southern Regional Assembly and the Covid-19 Regional Economic Analysis published yesterday, Kerry presents as the county worst affected by the crisis. Nationally, tourism employs more than 300,000 and contributes €2 billion to the coffers. In 2019, 11 millions visitors came to Ireland. Two-thirds of visitors to Kerry are international. This market has disappeared. By and large, the tourism industry consists of businesses that pay VAT at 13.5%, purchase school uniforms for children and pay registration fees and rent for students. Over 14,000, or 20%, of jobs in Kerry are tourism related, the majority of them in hotels and accommodation in a tourist season which has been carefully crafted over many years.

As previously stated, tourism is worth over €650 million to Kerry. The current crisis could cost the county half a billion euro. In the town of Killarney the loss could be in the region of €300 million. The towns of Dingle, Kenmare and Killarney are among the top 11 Irish towns most exposed to significant economic disruption. Domestically, the social fabric of County Kerry has been torn to shreds. The staples of its summer season, including Listowel Writers' Week, a possible Munster final, Puck Fair and the Rose of Tralee have all been cancelled. The concerts, the colour and all events have been obliterated.

Kerry County Council, which advises on grant aid and start-up through its excellent local enterprise office, LEO, and helps businesses to adapt and survive, is the driving force and chief sponsor of many festivals. It is planning a series of greenways which will be the envy of the world, from Kilmorna to Ballyroe, Tralee to Fenit, Glenbeigh to Renard and the Big River Walkway in Tralee town. These will be walkways for tourists and locals alike. Kerry County Council is anticipated to face a budget shortfall this year of €25 million, almost 20% of its annual budget. Crisis meetings are taking place, probably as we speak, to avoid near bankruptcy of Kerry County Council. The required matched funding of 25% for vital projects such as the Tralee-Fenit greenway, the urban regeneration and development funding for Tralee town centre, and the redevelopment of the old Denny site, is now in danger. The long-term affects of this crisis cannot be overstated. The small family-run hotels, restaurants and town centre businesses in the west, which are the backbone of the economy, are totally deflated. Recent start-ups and coffee shops, retail outlets and bars may not reopen, and the greyhound stadium is closed. I ask the Minister if State, if social distancing can be properly observed, to consider an earlier opening for the greyhound stadium.

Ó Chuas an Chaisleáin go dtí an Caladh-Portmagee, ón gCoireán in Waterville suas go dtí Corca Dhuibhne in iarthar Chiarraí, suas go dtí Baile an Bhuinneánaigh, tá toradh Covid-19 i bhfad níos measa in áiteanna atá ag fulaingt leis an iompar poiblí is measa in Éirinn. Ní bheidh na hoibrithe séasúracha taobh amuigh den scéim PUP, pandemic unemployment payment, in ann stampa a chur suas le haghaidh a gcuid saoire agus ní bheidh siad in ann cíos nó a dtáillí coláiste a fháil. Tá formhór na hoibrithe sna hóstáin agus sna tithe tábhairne sa chaoi chéanna ó bhliain go bliain agus dá bharr sin ba chóir go gcuirfeadh an Rialtas iad sa scéim nua PUP. Is cinnte go leanfaidh an damáiste seo ar aghaidh.

Unless drastic action is taken, this damage will continue and it will be 2022 before a full recovery is realised. The seasonal worker, the short-term leaseholder and the start-up are uniting and demanding that the tourism sector be supported. While I welcome the Government aid package, two-thirds of it is reserved for medium and large enterprises with 250-plus employees. Most of it will not apply to small business. The restart fund targeting micro and small businesses, which are the backbone of the economy, is crucial. The finer details of the scheme will no doubt be developed by the relevant Departments in the coming weeks but, to me, it seems totally inadequate. We must provide employment grants in the form of wage subsidies so that workers will be paid and the industry can survive. Grants for Covid-19 required infrastructure must be considered. Domestic holidays must be incentivised, perhaps by way of a voucher scheme.

While the commercial rates rebate or waiver is welcome, a three-month rebate is not enough. The local authorities, particularly in Kerry, must be subsidised by way of a vastly increased subvention. I ask the Minister of State to commit to an increased subvention for Kerry County Council or a waiving of the matched funding requirements so these vital walkways and greenways can be put through. Tasked with the job of creating employment in a county where IDA investment is not as large as in other counties, the council should not be shackled by continued lack of funding. Some funding must also be reserved for the self-employed, similar to the scheme introduced in Stormont by the Minister, Conor Murphy, for the self-employed and those working from home, who have no history of a rates base. Inshore fishermen should also be facilitated within the recent scheme. The rebates, however, cannot be entirely State-led and insurance companies which, not surprisingly, have behaved as badly as some landlords in this crisis, must provide refunds on at least a pro ratabasis.

Only a fair scheme prioritising the interests and rights of cleaners, bar staff, tour guides, coffee shop employees and bus drivers will do in a county which was the birthplace of the great Mike Quill, the union leader. The interests of the workers and workers' families must be the priority.

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