Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the impact the Ukrainian refugee situation has had on tourism. It is estimated that the current impact is approximately €1.1 billion in terms of hotels tied up with contracts. We in County Clare are very proud to have played a major role so far in providing accommodation. Approximately 6% of the population of the county is made up of Ukrainians or international protection applicants. The many businesses in the tourism industry that are not tied into these contracts are suffering. Surf schools and other visitor attractions, as well as hotels that are not contracted to the Government, are floundering. There should be a Covid-style payment to tide these businesses over this very difficult period because we simply do not have that tourism footfall in the county anymore. Many hotels are contractually tied in. It is lucrative for those hoteliers but there are other hoteliers who will go to the wall without Government intervention.

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