Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important issue. The issue of skills shortages was raised and I, too, would like to raise it. I know, from speaking to many in the hospitality industry, that while the support that was put in place during Covid was most welcome and kept many businesses afloat, it has had knock-on effects. I am sure the Minister is aware of that. I note that there has been a loosening-up in the rules around work permits. There are many people coming into the country now, in particular, Ukrainians, some of whom I met last night. They want to go out and start working as soon as possible. Perhaps we could look at retraining people and getting them to work. Certainly, they are willing to work. Many businesses still cannot open on a Monday or Tuesday.

I welcome the announcement of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme, or the living wage at least. It is most welcome news. As a member of Limerick Arts Society, I have spoken to many artists. Many have found it hard to keep going and perhaps have had to get another job because they have not been not able to keep themselves afloat through selling their paintings. During Covid, some artists improvised and hung their paintings on railings. They were not making enough, however, so today's announcement is most welcome.

There was a good news story in County Limerick today, with the announcement that Shannon Heritage had handed King John's Castle back to the Discover Limerick Designated Activity Company, which is a subsidiary of Limerick City and County Council. The contract was signed over at the weekend. I welcome that the council is now back in control of the marketing and promotion of the castle. It is a huge tourist attraction that brings people to Limerick.

I am also aware that Shannon Airport is at the forefront, with 22 new offerings of routes into the airport, including three new transatlantic routes. Tourist numbers are beginning to move in the aftermath of Covid. There has been a lot of collaboration between Shannon Airport and the council over the last ten months. This shows how two semi-State organisations can work together for the betterment of the people. They are also looking at marketing the area collectively and different options are being considered. The expansion of schemes like that is most welcome, because if groups in the region work together, it encourages the tourists to stay in the region as they arrive and spend money there. That is what we all aim to achieve in our regions. I thank Shannon Heritage for looking after the castle for the past 25 years. It is back with its rightful owner, Limerick City and County Council, today.

There are many attractions in our country. While we should encourage tourists arriving in the country to spend money here, we also need to encourage Irish holidaymakers to stay within the country. Many incentives were launched last year for people holidaying at home. I wonder whether the Minister would consider ways of trying to encourage our own people to holiday here. Last year, many people visited parts of Ireland that, possibly, they were never in before. I met people who spoke about discovering places they had never visited. We need to encourage people to stay in Ireland. Huge support was provided to the hospitality industry, for example, for outdoor seating. I pay tribute to the Minister and her Department for the attention and resources provided to local authorities and Fáilte Ireland to deliver those projects. I wonder if they will be expanded.