Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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353. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are plans to allow restaurants that do not sell alcohol to avail of the Covid-19 adaptation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34973/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The administration of the Covid-19 Adaptation Grant scheme for tourism businesses is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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354. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an application by a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34591/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As part of the July Jobs Stimulus, I announced a special fund of €2.5 million to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools in recognition of the particular challenges pool operators face in reopening to the public.

The funding will be distributed to swimming pools through an open and transparent application process administered by Ireland Active (the association for leisure, health and fitness in Ireland). A Steering Group of Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland and Ireland Active has been established to oversee, assess and monitor the process.

I understand that the Covid-19 Swimming Pool Grant scheme closed for applications on Monday 2 November. It is expected, at this point, to communicate the outcome of the application process in early December, dependent on the volume of applications received.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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355. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she plans to take to assist the chauffeur drive sector which has been badly affected by the downturn in tourism numbers and in view of the fact that many are unable to avail of the various schemes such as the Covid-19 adaptation fund, the coach tourism business continuity grant and the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the sector plays a vital role in the tourism industry particularly in the west of Ireland and is an important link between various tourism services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34798/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I fully appreciate the important role the chauffeur drive sector plays as a vital component in supporting the wider tourism industry including hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops in all parts of the country. Budget 2021 included a number of further substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector and are supplemented by the economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures.

A key measure was the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses. This funding will be administered by Fáilte Ireland and focused on those strategic businesses. Fáilte Ireland are currently engaging with those tourism sectors in the design of funding schemes taking into account the effect of other horizontal funding measures.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for any further information in this regard. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.