Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the policy responses and targeted supports for the hospitality sector in order that consumer spending can return to pre-Covid-19 levels in view of the up to 250,000 people employed in hospitality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26282/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Some of the key measures for tourism and hospitality include the “Stay and Spend” initiative, the €26m adaptation grant, the €10m grant for coach tourism and the revised Restart grant which now includes B&B’s. Tourism enterprises will also benefit from wider horizontal supports such as the new Employment Wage Support Scheme, liquidity and enterprise investment measures, warehousing of tax liabilities and the extension for a further three months of the waiver of commercial rates.

As part of its response to Covid-19, and to drive bookings for short breaks and holidays in Ireland in 2020, Fáilte Ireland has invested in a number of domestic holiday campaigns since June of this year.

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce is currently finalising its recommendations for the ongoing survival and stabilisation of the Tourism sector. The Taskforce is expected to publish its Final Recovery Plan in the coming weeks and I, together with my colleagues in Government, will consider its recommendations at that stage. In the context of the Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, the Government will review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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353. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if only bed and breakfasts registered with Fáilte Ireland can apply for the restart grant; the reason this is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26304/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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355. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the sector-specific supports in place and-or the plans to introduce support services for the hospitality sector. [26312/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Some of the key measures for tourism and hospitality include the “Stay and Spend” initiative, the €26m adaptation grant, the €10m grant for coach tourism and the revised Restart grant which now includes B&B’s. Tourism and hospitality enterprises will also benefit from wider horizontal supports such as the new Employment Wage Support Scheme, liquidity and enterprise investment measures, warehousing of tax liabilities and the extension for a further three months of the waiver of commercial rates.

As part of its response to Covid-19, and to drive bookings for short breaks and holidays in Ireland in 2020, Fáilte Ireland has invested in a number of domestic holiday campaigns since June of this year.

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce is currently finalising its recommendations for the ongoing survival and stabilisation of the Tourism sector. The Taskforce is expected to publish its Final Recovery Plan in the coming weeks and I, together with my colleagues in Government, will consider its recommendations at that stage. In the context of the Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, the Government will review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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356. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if bed and breakfasts registered with Fáilte Ireland are being prioritised in respect of restart grant payments ahead of non-registered bed and breakfasts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26388/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports or grant aid in place for the ongoing costs and expenses necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of a community arts centre, that is, insurance, energy costs and so on, in which no revenue is coming in due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26966/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council, operates within a published 10 year strategic framework entitled Making Great Art Work.

The Arts Council provides funding to local authorities, supporting the programmes of Arts Offices in each local authority, as well funding a range of other initiatives, events and festivals which are carried out in partnership with local authorities and artists in every local authority area. A number of community arts centres may be eligible to apply for funding schemes through their local authorities.

In July, I announced a range of capital funding measures to assist in the re-opening of arts and culture venues. The measures are designed to support arts and culture facilities in preparation for staff, artists and audiences returning to venues to reopen in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening and Return to Work Safety Protocols. There is a high degree of flexibility that will allow organisations to undertake necessary capital adaptations to their facilities so that they comply with the HSE COVID-19 related public health protection measures.

Organisations that hold existing capital grants may immediately request the re-purposing of all or part of the grant towards necessary works and equipment to allow reopening. Organisations can apply to re-purpose up to €10,000 of their grant which can be used to fund eligible costs at a 90% funding rate or up to €5,000 which will not require match funding. Repurposed funding required for the original purpose of the grant will be restored when required at a later date.

Organisations that do not hold a capital grant, can apply for funding under Stream D Cultural Capital Scheme of up to €10,000. The scheme applies for the period of the coronavirus crisis and applications can be made by organisations at any point throughout the crisis. Details of this scheme are available on my Department’s website.