Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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657. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding being allocated to the weatherproofing and outdoor dining infrastructure scheme for 2021; and the amount that will be allocated to each individual local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20360/21]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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658. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding that has been allocated to outdoor seating and accessories for tourism and hospitality services scheme; and the amount that has been allocated each local authority in tabular form. [20361/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together.

On 31 March I announced details of a €17million Scheme operated by Fáilte Ireland for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide. The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme comprises two parts and will be delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country. Part One of the Scheme will provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity. Funding allocated under Part Two will enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres.

The development and administration of the schemes for outdoor dining experiences to which the Deputy refers are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and I have asked the agency to provide further information directly to the Deputy's question. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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659. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will extend the inbound agents continuity scheme for the remainder of 2021 and 2022 in view of the fact that the inbound market replies on countries that are now on the prescribed list for mandatory hotel quarantine (details supplied). [20532/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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660. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied) from a representative body regarding the continuation of the inbound agents continuity scheme; and his plans to introduce further supports for this sector. [20533/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.

I am aware of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the inbound agents sector and was pleased to make a fund of €10m available, through Fáilte Ireland, for the Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme. The scheme has assisted inbound tour operators, destination management companies and professional conference organisers by providing a direct financial contribution to support their business continuity plans.

I am committed to continuing support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, Government will be outlining how it will help people return to work and further support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. As part of that plan, along with my colleagues in Government, we will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which will face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.