Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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25. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available to the tourist industry, including tour operators and guides, in view of the extent of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27431/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am acutely aware of how badly impacted tour operators and guides have been by COVID-19. These businesses provide a vital service to the tourism industry and are important ambassadors in the tourism experience and promoting our excellent tourism product. We will need them when our overseas visitors return.

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.  In addition 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 appointed in May submitted its report to me this week. It is making a number of recommendations to help the sector to survive the crisis and eventually recover. Along with my colleagues in Government, I will consider its recommendations as we prepare for the Budget and the subsequent National Economic Plan.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional supports in place for local sports clubs to avail of during Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27392/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am acutely aware of the particular difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations. Measures introduced by the Government to date have benefitted the sport sector including the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the series of enterprise supports.

There has been extensive engagement with the sport sector over the past number of months which has highlighted the significant, adverse impact of COVID-19 at all levels of the Irish sporting landscape.  A COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group, chaired at Ministerial level, has been established to engage directly with the sporting bodies. An Expert Group on Return to Sport, chaired by an official of my Department, has also been established to provide advice and guidance to sporting bodies.

Sport Ireland is also directly engaging with the sporting bodies on an ongoing basis.

A funding package of up to €70 million has been put in place to support the sector. The funding package, which will be administered by Sport Ireland,includes;

- Funding of up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.  

- a Resilience Fund of up to €10m to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,

- a Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15m to support clubs, and

- a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m. 

The funding will be invested through new grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, including the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations. 

The closing date for applications to Sport Ireland under the COVID 19 grant schemes was September 14. I understand that a large number of applications was received. 39 National Governing Bodies applied on their own behalf or on behalf of their member clubs. Sport Ireland is currently processing and validating the applications. There is significant interest in each of the 4 strands of funding. The process will be complete by the end of October, and an announcement on allocations will be made following that process.

In addition to this funding scheme, I announced a special fund of €2.5 million as part of the July Jobs Stimulus to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools in recognition of the particular challenges pool operators face in reopening to the public. This funding will also be administered by Sport Ireland. Sport Ireland is currently finalising the grant scheme. Full details of the scheme and the application process will be announced shortly.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the further financial measures that will be considered to support the tourism sector in County Donegal in view of recent public health measures introduced in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27370/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar T.D., announced on September 24th, that Donegal businesses affected by the decision to move to Phase 3 will receive additional government funding of €2m including a topped up Restart Grant Plus and increased agency support.

Donegal businesses impacted by 25% or more fall in turnover will now be entitled to a 30% top-up, bringing the new minimum for affected counties to €5,200 and the new maximum to €32,500. Those that applied and received a grant previously, can receive the top up of 30%.

Applications from Donegal will be prioritised for the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by Covid-19 through the July Jobs Stimulus and other Government initiatives.

In addition Fáilte Ireland has extended the deadline for applying for the COVID-19 Adaptation Fund from 8th October 2020 to 31st October 2020. This is to ensure that as many eligible businesses as possible are given the opportunity to open in line with Government guidelines.

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce appointed in May submitted its report to me this week. It is making a number of recommendations to help the sector to survive the crisis and eventually recover. Along with my colleagues in Government, I will consider its recommendations as we prepare for the Budget and the subsequent National Economic Plan.