Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The restart fund will be open next week. I know businesses that are anxious to open will want to access that fund as quickly as possible. It must get approval from the Government but I am satisfied that businesses will welcome this fund because I understand that they have overhanging costs from the shutdown. It will give them that leg up and the encouragement some of them might need to get started again.

I would encourage all sectors to prepare for reopening, examine the protocol and determine what it means for each sector. The roadmap is clear on the timelines so each business needs to look at where it fits on that roadmap. If all goes well, they could move ahead. However, there is also the risk of a setback and we must always be very conscious so we must do this on a phased basis.

Regarding the one-stop-shop, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has a helpline that is available to anybody who wants to contact it. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell mentioned each region doing something. I would suggest that they do it through the regional enterprise plans. I think this is the best structure that is there at the minute. It is working well. I know the one in Limerick is particularly successful. The Deputy's idea is a good one but businesses should use the structure of the regional enterprise forum to do that.

Marts are reopening and are in phase 2. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is very engaged with the sector. I know they are currently online so they are keen to get back to the marts.

Fáilte Ireland has set up a Covid-19 industry advisory group that meets weekly. The purpose of this group is to provide support to the tourism industry, which we all know has been badly affected.

This forum facilitates the sharing of information and insight to help to improve the sector's understanding and the response to the crisis. There is also a business support hub that was set up by Fáilte Ireland which offers a suite of targeted supports for businesses in the tourism sector to enable them to respond to the challenges. Of course, the hospitality sector can access all of the supports that are available through my Department.

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