Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the provision that her Department is making to introduce financial supports to the tourism sector for the development of sustainable policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23938/23]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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There has been a reduction in the availability of accommodation in most tourist attraction areas, mainly due to the accommodation being provided as refuges to our Ukrainian visitors. This has caused many small local indigenous businesses to see a stark reduction in their patronage. What provisions is the Minister's Department making to provide financial recompense and support to the tourism sector for the development of sustainable policies?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Deputy will forgive me. When I saw her question on financial supports for sustainable policies, I thought she was referring to the greening of tourism, but she is also referring to possible mitigation measures for the wider tourism ecosystem. I addressed the issue of mitigation measures when replying to Deputy Munster, so I will discuss sustainable tourism practices.

The Department has been undertaking important work to ensure that tourism plays its part in achieving our climate targets. In 2023, I secured additional funding of €3 million for Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in supporting tourism businesses to embrace sustainability. Fáilte Ireland has undertaken a collaborative approach with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, Uisce Éireann and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to ensure that tourism businesses are fully briefed and aware of the initiatives and practical supports that are available from different sources.

I have met the SEAI and emphasised the willingness of the tourism sector to play its part in reducing emissions and achieving our climate action goals. It has a wide range of funding measures that are of relevance to the tourism sector. These include a support scheme for energy audits, financial supports towards the installation of heat pumps or biomass-biogas boilers and combined heat and power, CHP, units, and grant supports towards the purchase of new N1 category electric vehicles. We are also working on sustainability and tourism policy.

On the second part of the Deputy's question, as I said to Deputy Munster, I have continuously raised my concerns with my officials on a senior officials group, with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and other colleagues regarding the potential need for mitigation supports due to these challenges in the wider tourism ecosystem. I have asked my officials and Fáilte Ireland to do further work on this as I have concerns in that regard.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I know that there is somewhat of a crossover and I appreciate there may be confusion regarding the question, but the reality is fewer accommodation places for tourists means fewer customers for other tourism-related businesses in those areas. Every euro spent, as the Minister said, has the impact of withdrawing, in effect, €2.50 from the local economy. We have restaurants, bars and activity centres in County Wexford, such as the International Outdoor Adventure Centre in Rosslare, Courtown Adventure and Leisure Centre, the Dunbrody Famine Ship, the Kennedy Homestead, Hook Lighthouse, trips to the Saltee Islands and par 3 golf links. I spoke to the owner of a par 3 golf course in Fethard-on-Sea. His business is down 70% primarily due to the fact that the holiday village of Hookless is now fully accommodating refugees, which I welcome. They absolutely need to be given refuge but we, and the Minister, need to take cognisance of the lack of business sooner rather than later. We do not need to see business closures or job losses.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Absolutely. I have said here and to my colleagues that I have concerns about that knock-on impact to businesses. Some of those in the hospitality sector are under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, with whom I co-chair the tourism and hospitality forum. These are issues that will come to us in the coming weeks but I am sure he too, like myself, is probably looking at those challenges and how we can put mitigation measures in support. Anecdotal evidence of early impacts on non-accommodation tourism business is definitely emerging already.

We have developed, through the Covid pandemic, experience of what type of targeted measures can support tourism businesses. We supported them throughout the pandemic and will not let them fail now. That is why I am very much on top of this, have consistently flagged it with my Cabinet colleagues, and have a body of work under way.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. I do not wish to be parochial but, in the case of rural Ireland and a rural county like Wexford where I come from, we have to join the dots. The protest that is occurring in County Clare is due to a build-up of anxiety in communities regarding the impact of housing our refugees and asylum seekers, without a doubt. Everybody is wondering whether there will be a job for students coming home from college who cannot drive because they have not been able to get a driving test to get a full licence and need somebody with them. Their only hope of work is in their local community. If those businesses are not supported to stay afloat, and the provision of employment for our students coming back to rural Ireland for the summer months is not there, a whole lot more unrest will be seen. That is why it is very significant and important that we engage with communities and support them through this process. The war was not caused by rural Ireland.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I again commend communities the length and breadth of the country on giving that céad míle fáilte to those fleeing from such horrific circumstances. While people always have a right to peaceful protest, those fleeing such horrific circumstances also have a very much equal right to peacefully adapt to their new communities, where they are seeking refuge.

On the Deputy's concerns, if we look back to what we did during the Covid pandemic, such as the continuity supports we put in for strategic tourism businesses, there are potential measures we need to consider, if the evidence is clear that there is a loss of tourism footfall in specific areas that is leading to significant reductions in trade and turnover. As I said, there is already anecdotal evidence that this is happening, which is my concern. Other levers that could be considered include rate reliefs and targeted marketing campaigns to help drive additional footfall to the most affected parts of the country. We are very much aware of this issue. I have my concerns and a body of work is under way.