Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste to this very important debate. I thank him and the Government for not being found wanting over the past 18 months with their support for businesses. As I hear every day from businesses in my neck of woods in Limerick, many of them would not have survived if not for the supports that have been put in place. As the Tánaiste said on Friday last, while we do not yet know the full extent of the Omicron variant and what people face, the correct decisions had to be taken by the Government even if they will have a knock-on effect on hospitality and tourism.

Another sector that has had a knock-back in terms of its revenue falling is that of travel agents. They have had a tough time over the past 18 months. My understanding, and I have heard it from people in the industry, is there was a very positive meeting as late as yesterday relating to the supports. I spoke to one small business owner who employs 45 people. They said there is talk that they will have to be down by 50%. When I talked to them and colleagues of theirs, they said many of them are down by 46% or 47%, not quite 50%, but that is because they have driven their own businesses by taking steps such as offering takeaway or selling vouchers, which has helped to increase their revenue. Could the 50% figure be examined? It is crucial. While 50% seems a lot for a small business, if they were down by 46% or 47%, many of them would not be open if not for the supports. In the example of a small business I gave, that would be 45 jobs lost.

Finally, it is very positive that people who lost their jobs will be supported. These supports are to be welcomed and the announcement relating to rates will be of great benefit. Costs are increasing, not least because of the change to the minimum wage, which I welcome, as are costs relating to insurance and so on. The pause in the collection of rates for the first three months is certainly the correct message.