Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Griffin for his kind words and also for his advocacy on behalf of the tourism sector, both as a Teachta Dála and in a previous ministerial role.

The importance of the tourism sector to the economy and to communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. It is recognised that the use of tourist accommodation to support the Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis has impacted on the sector. Fáilte Ireland identified that, in November 2023, 12% of all registered tourism accommodation stock nationally was under contract to the State. An additional amount of tourism-type accommodation that is not registered with Fáilte Ireland is also contracted to the State. My colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, has made up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals, and recruitment and retention initiatives.

I am acutely aware that many businesses in all sectors are facing difficulties due to the cost of doing business. With this in mind, as part of the budget 2024 package and in order to help businesses with their increasing overheads, the Government announced the introduction of the increased cost of business, ICOB, grant, which is intended to aid firms with the challenge posed by increased costs. The ICOB scheme is up and running and will benefit up to 121,000 small businesses. Local authorities throughout the country are now rolling out the scheme with the Department and have all written to ratepayers setting out the information on the scheme.

On 5 March 2024, my Department and the Department of Social Protection produced an assessment of the combined cost of measures to improve working conditions in Ireland. Reflecting the findings of this assessment, a range of measures is being brought forward to assist businesses in adjusting to these increased costs. These measures include the preparation of a paper on PRSI; making available up to €15 million to local enterprise offices, LEOs, to enable a top-up payment on the energy grant; reducing red tape; and accelerating the roll-out of fully-functioning national enterprise hubs.

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