Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1100. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to introduce a special package of supports for island businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors given the unique challenges of running a business on the islands (details supplied); if not, if she has had discussions with other relevant Ministers to request that they would do so in view of her responsibility for island policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11858/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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COVID-19 has affected communities across the country and the Government has addressed the question of supports for businesses on a national basis. A range of specific supports have been put in place to support the hospitality and tourism sectors. These include:

- A reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9% until 31 December 2021

- The “Stay and Spend” tax credit initiative

- A €26 million Adaptation Grant for the tourism sector

- A €10 million grant for coach tourism

- A €55 million Tourism Business Continuity Scheme

The Government has also developed and delivered a series of schemes that may be availed of by island businesses and communities, including:

- Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme

- Covid Restrictions Support Scheme

- Covid-19 Credit Guarantee scheme

- Covid-19 Business Aid Scheme

- Covid-19 Business loans Scheme

- Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme

- Enterprise Support Grant

- Covid-19 Business Financial Planning Grant

I was also pleased, earlier this year, to be able to announce an increase in the Island Allowance paid to Social Welfare recipients on our islands, to assist with the additional costs of living on an island.

As the Deputy will also be aware, a new Islands Policy is currently being developed by my Department. The purpose of this policy, and its associated action plan, is to work to address specific issues affecting island communities. These issues fall under the remit of many Government Departments and agencies.

Having completed the initial consultation phase, my officials are now in the process of holding bilateral meeting with relevant Departments to identify additional policy measures which can be introduced to support our island communities.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1101. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a charity (details supplied) has availed of funding under the Covid-19 stability fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12001/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.

In 2020, my Department provided support through the €45m COVID 19 Stability Fund for organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Charities and Social Enterprises. The Fund was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This Fund was made available in conjunction with many other Government supports. The Fund is providing up to €45million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria is aligned with DAF objectives to support:

1.The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2.The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3.Persons with a disability.

My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. Funding of over €43m, including an additional €10M in funding announced during Budget 2021, has been approved to over 600 organisations to date and the payment processes for this funding remain ongoing.

An additional €10M has been allocated to the Stability Fund as part of the Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 plan announced by the Taoiseach on Tuesday 23rd February. Further details on how relevant organisations can apply for this funding will be available shortly.

I can confirm that the organisation in question submitted an application to the Stability Fund in 2020 and was awarded €272,970.