Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the overview and for her detailed response. Phenomenal pressure is growing on many smaller businesses. The 2023 season is now well under way and in the absence of those beds and the tourists that would occupy them, and their subsequent spend, there is increasing pressure on smaller businesses. Those businesses are scattered right across the many rural areas of the country. For many, this is their main opportunity for income. Many of those smaller businesses give our younger people their first jobs in cafés, pubs, pet farms and wherever else. Those businesses are vital to those rural economies. I understand that Fáilte Ireland is conducting that research on behalf of the Minister. Will she give an outline as to when that will be completed? This was not an unknown. She must have been expecting that this pressure would come on and Fáilte Ireland would conduct research for some time. When will there be an outcome from that research? When will there be a plan in place to support these businesses?

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