Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the financial position of hotels, pubs and guest houses in the current economic climate; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There is no doubt that the tourism industry as a whole, including the hospitality and catering sectors, has had a very difficult year in 2009. This Government is committed to maximising the contribution of tourism to economic recovery in 2010. My Department's Tourism Services Budget for 2010 is over €155m, representing an increase of 2% on 2009. The increased allocation of public resources – at a time of major fiscal retrenchment - is clear recognition by Government of the important role that the tourism and hospitality sector will play in Ireland's economic recovery.

It should be noted that Budget 2010 incorporates a range of measures and initiatives to renew Irish tourism. Key elements build on actions recommended in the recent Report of the Tourism Renewal Group. These measures to assist the tourism sector were welcomed by their representative federations.

In commenting on these measures the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), representing hoteliers and guest house operators, welcomed the acknowledgement by Government of the important role of tourism in the economy. The IHF also welcomed the budget measures introduced including maintaining funding in the level of tourism marketing, a trebling of the allocation for tourism product development, a new voucher scheme to enable discounted travel for senior citizens from abroad and a reduction in excise duty on alcohol products all of which will assist the sector going forward. The Vintners Federation of Ireland also welcomed the excise duty reductions noting that they should help stimulate growth and jobs not just in the hospitality industry, but across the whole retail sector.