Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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32. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of bed and breakfasts that have availed of the restart grant since she announced that bed and breakfasts could avail of it; her other plans to assist this industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27500/20]

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. This included changes to the restart grant which are particularly welcome for tourism businesses. This will help defray the high costs incurred when closed for public health reasons.  B&Bs in non-rated premises will be eligible to apply for flat rate of €4,000 grant paid through Fáilte Ireland and the administration of the is a matter for Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred this part of the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Some of other the key measures in the July Stimulus 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 Employment Wage Support Scheme, liquidity and enterprise investment measures, support package for pubs, bars and nightclubs,  warehousing of tax liabilities and the extension for a further three months of the waiver of commercial rates.

 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.