Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific supports that have been made available to the self-catering sector by her Department, including all agencies under the direction of her Department, in response to the severe fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of self-catering developments that have benefited from these supports by county in tabular form, including the total amounts drawn down for each county; the plans being developed to further support this important sector of the tourism offering; when these new supports will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2707/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. These measures are in addition to the July Stimulus measures, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, tax warehousing, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers.

Through the PUP and EWSS, the Government is supporting incomes for workers and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) offers support to businesses forced to close their premises or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week. The cut in the 13.5% VAT rate down to 9% will benefit the self-catering sector once those businesses are allowed to open again.

Fáilte Ireland has created an extensive range of business supports to guide self-catering businesses to operate during COVID-19. These have been developed in consultation with industry experts and are available on Fáilte Ireland’s website.

As part of the July stimulus measures, a €26million COVID-19 Adaptation Fund was made available to help tourism and hospitality businesses, including the self catering sector, to offset some of the costs incurred in adapting their premises or operations for re-opening. The administration of the Adaptation fund is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for any further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.