Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am fully aware of the impact Covid-19 has had on tourism and hospitality nationwide and I also acknowledge that public health restrictions continue to be challenging for the tourism sector.  The national vaccination programme is critical and provides hope that in 2021 we will see the beginning of the recovery for the sector but this will not happen overnight.  For now, the focus remains on helping businesses and jobs in tourism to survive the pandemic and be ready for recovery.

In line with the plan set out in The Path Ahead and after taking full account of the current status of Covid-19 in the community and the public health advice, the Government has been implementing a limited phased easing of some level 5 restrictions through the month of April.  The Government is due to make further decisions and announcements tomorrow regarding the position to apply for May and beyond, that will allow for the phased reopening of tourism and hospitality for the critical season, as the public health situation permits. While I will not pre-empt the Government's decision in this regard, I have been working closely with the sector, including meetings today, to ensure its voice is heard and perspectives understood.

The tourism recovery plan was taken into consideration for budget 2021, where substantial measures were put in place to support and strengthen the tourism sector.  There was a record level of funding for tourism overall, of just under €221 million and there have been additional measures to support tourism, such as the VAT rate reduction to 9%, as well as the €55 million tourism business continuity scheme, the Covid-19 adaptation fund and other tourism sector-specific schemes.

I am committed to continuing support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. I am working on a survival, stabilisation and recovery programme for the sector.  As part of the national economic recovery plan, the Government will outline how it will help people to return to work and further support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.  Along with my colleagues in government, I will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism.

I am also aware that Fáilte Ireland, at the appropriate time, will be launching its "Keep Discovering" campaign to inspire more people to take a break in Ireland this summer and in the shoulder season. The initial campaign will include promotions for each of the regional brand areas, including Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, and will be supported by substantial marketing campaigns.

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