John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government has responded to the hospitality sector with various supports. There is no doubt that the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, have been extremely helpful. However, the sector is on its knees and all the sectors providing associated employment are also in difficulty, including the entertainment industry, individuals and groups. The Irish Hotels Federation has contacted us all again.

Locally, the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow, on behalf of its members, and the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny highlighted the other costs they are lumbered with. These are costs such as recruiting people from abroad and then having to put the recruitment on hold because they are closed down again. Then there is the loss of income, for example, €140,000 in December for one hotel alone. Will the Tánaiste please look at the supports that can be given beyond the existing schemes in order that they can reopen again?

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