Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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285. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if professional tourist guides will receive assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the difficulties the tourism industry is facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20931/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses and individuals to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The overall package of direct employment supports, cash grants, demand stimulation measures and tax reliefs will help tourism businesses and people working in the tourism sector in the current challenging environment.  In regard to professional tour guides, depending on their employment circumstances, I would expect that the provisions on income tax relief for the self employed and the new EWSS scheme could be of benefit to them.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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286. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if bed and breakfasts will receive assistance to adapt their premises during the Covid-19 pandemic, in view of the amount of funding they will have to spend to make their premises safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20932/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses and individuals to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. To help businesses stabilise, reopen and reemploy their staff, enhanced direct grants will be provided from a revised ReStart Grant. This grant was increased and extended with an additional €300m in funding being provided. A number of businesses, such as B&Bs, not previously included in the scheme, are also now eligible and funding for B&Bs from the revised Restart grant will be administered through Fáilte Ireland.

In addition  as part of the July Stimulus Package announced last week, a funding package of €26 million will be available for a Business Adaptation Grant Scheme to assist tourism and hospitality businesses with the costs of adapting their premises to meet public health requirements and making them safer for customers.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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287. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an extension is being considered of the short hop rail zone in view of the need to increase the use of public transport and to provide a financial break to commuters returning to work during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20933/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for regulating fares charged by public transport operators, and it is not within my legal remit to restructure public transport fares.

I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.