Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision of the Minister for Finance and the Government to extend the 9% VAT rate to February 2023. This is a very important decision that is designed to support the sector most hit by Covid-19 in order that it can continue to operate in the shoulder season.

Senator Conway asked for a debate with the Minister for Education and for a review of the use of schools and related buildings outside of school times. I join with him in that request. Considerable Exchequer funding is spent, has been spent and will be spent on school buildings to create school communities. They do not operate in a silo; they are immersed in communities. I commend Deputy David Stanton on his work seeking the use of school buildings outside school time, in order that they can be availed of for community use by sporting, cultural and other organisations. It makes sense. The Minister for Education has established a review group to look at how we can use school buildings. I am asking her and the Government to expedite and fast-track this review so that in the future, and, hopefully, in the autumn, school buildings, grounds and facilities, which are funded in the main by the taxpayer, can be used by myriad groups, organisations and people around the country.

I will conclude by again referring to the good news of the 9% VAT rate extension. It will be pivotal to the tourism and hospitality sector in places like Cork, Kerry and other locations outside Dublin. However, I would ask those in the hospitality sector not to engage in rip-off Ireland tactics with the prices for hotel rooms in the summer season. It is incumbent on them to work with the Government to make sure hotel rooms are affordable and accessible to all.