Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Ceann Comhairle can give the Minister time to respond to me. I welcome the opportunity to ask the Minister questions on the record today. Our country faces unprecedented levels of economic difficulty and many sectors are in crisis, facing closure or a sustained period of inactivity. I intend to leave enough time for the Minister to answer my questions but he might reply to me in writing if he does not have enough time.

Will the Minister finally extend the Covid-19 payment to seasonal workers and to those over 66? Many of those work in the hospitality sector and face the prospect of not having a job to return to. They have fallen through the cracks. This is not fair and it needs to be addressed once and for all. The hospitality and tourism sector across Ireland faces its biggest challenge yet but as the Minister knows, we will be victims of our own success in County Kerry, the tourism capital of the world. A sector that employs more than 15,000 people and generates in excess of €600 million in County Kerry has been decimated. The predicted losses are greater than €500 million and there is almost 100% unemployment in the sector.

There are simple steps the Minister can take to help, including grants. Businesses need grants, not loans; they have enough loans. While the restart grant is very welcome, it does not go far enough. Pubs and hairdressers, for example, have changed the very fabric of what they have always known. Adapting their business will cost them money before they can even open their doors, if they will ever be allowed to open them. Further grants are needed.

Local authority rates need to be waived for 12 months from the date of reopening. The three-month waiver that was announced is not sensible and does not go far enough. I am under the impression that when a business is shut, it is not liable for rates anyway. Therefore, the waiver should apply from the reopening date.

The hospitality VAT rate needs to be reduced to 0%. I note with disappointment that the Taoiseach has dismissed this idea but I ask the Minister to reconsider it very seriously. If it is not to be 0%, why not 4%? The Minister should definitely consider that very seriously.

For far too long, insurance companies have had their foot on the throat of businesses in this country. No longer can that be tolerated. I respectfully ask the Minister to intervene directly, bring in the representatives of the industry and demand that they help the very people who keep them in employment.

The restart grant, while welcome, discriminates against sole traders, simply because they do not pay rates to the local authority. This is not good enough. These people need help. They have been affected by this pandemic as much as anyone else. The grant should apply to all affected businesses, not just some. While the Minister is not the Minister directly in charge, the matter falls within his Department's remit.

The OPW recently announced Skellig Michael would not be reopening for visitors in 2020. I totally understand the health concerns of the country and I am not taking from that. Why, however, was it not announced that Skellig Michael would remain closed until 1 July, for instance, or even 1 August, with a review every two weeks? Nobody knows what number of cases we will have or what the situation will be. One of the main reasons for the closure was that there are multiple touch and clutch points when travelling by boat. The locals in south Kerry and I argue that there are just as many and probably more touch points on public transport, including rail and bus. Another reason given for the closure was the narrow paths and people passing each other in close proximity. Will this not also apply to public footpaths and narrow staircases in shopping centres? Kerry County Council is putting together a programme for staycations in Kerry to try to save what it can of a very poor year for tourism in the county. The OPW has now trampled on the hopes of many businesses in the area. I ask for this to be reviewed; it is only common sense.

Will the Minister consider waiving this year's local property tax obligations? People are hard pressed enough without this horrible tax. The family home should not be subject to tax. People have paid enough on their homes already. Could the Minister answer in writing those questions he cannot answer now? I respectfully ask him to answer as many as he can now because he took some of my time at the beginning.

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