James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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754. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to aid the rural tourism sector in County Wexford; the way he plans to identify recovery steps for the rural tourism sector nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7266/20]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Minister Ross and I have appointed a Tourism Recovery Taskforce to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector including Wexford and rural tourism, for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce may consult with stakeholders to inform its deliberations and report back later this year.

The development of the tourism industry is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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755. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider rolling out extra measures in addition to a moratorium on business debt beyond the measures currently in place to ensure that transport companies in the tourism sector that are vital to same can survive. [7271/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am aware that businesses across many sectors, including transport and tourism, are deeply affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example.

My Department has been engaged with the Tourism sector since February in relation to the impacts of Covid. In addition, with my colleague, Minister of State Griffin, I have established the COVID-19 Tourism Monitoring Group. This group comprises industry stakeholders, the tourism agencies and Departmental officials and has been specifically established to monitor the disruption to the tourism sector and to assist in formulating the sector’s response to the crisis.

Fáilte Ireland’s COVID-19 Business Support Hub also provides a suite of targeted supports for tourism businesses, to enable them to respond to the challenges and threats now being faced in the sector. Any further measures will be considered in the context of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

The question of moratorium on business debt would be a matter for my colleague, the Minster for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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756. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assistance that is being put in place to assist taxi drivers in getting back to work after the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted; if these workers will be entitled to financial assistance to help them get back to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7291/20]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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788. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans and the plans of the taxi regulator to assist taxi drivers to return to the workplace as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted in the coming period. [7538/20]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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811. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the support measures made available for taxi drivers who are faced with insurance costs, loan repayments and other expenses in view of the fact many drivers have lost almost all of their business. [7714/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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821. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports available for a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7840/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 756, 788, 811 and 821 together.

I understand the very difficult business environment that small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors.

That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example. I also note that self-employed owner-operators of SPSVs may avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 a week.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has also taken a number of actions to reduce the immediate financial burden on SPSV operators and to make it easier for them to return to the industry when circumstances change.

The NTA has extended licences expiring before 12 June 2020 by three months, waived late licence renewal fees, and temporarily relaxed rules around vehicle age limits. It has engaged with the insurance industry to facilitate a suspension of SPSV insurance for those operators who decide to temporarily stop working and suspend their licences. Arrangements are in place to facilitate the swift re-activation of the suspended licence when such an SPSV operator wishes to return to work.